Will Ray Neal

Will Ray Neal

Will Ray Neal, 91, of Oxford, Mississippi, formerly of Ruleville, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Magnolia at Oxford Commons.

Ray was born on October 16, 1935, in Copiah County, Mississippi, to Millard and Dessie Pittman Neal. He graduated from Utica High School in 1954, and on December 18, 1955, he married Shirley Braswell in Utica. Together they shared 71 years of marriage, and his devotion to Shirley, their daughter, their grandchildren and great grandchildren was the center of his life. His faith in God shaped everything he did, and family and faith remained his greatest priorities to the end.

He served eight years in the Army National Guard. For 40 years he was the dedicated manager of Entex in Ruleville. He was also a licensed commercial agricultural pilot who flew for more than 20 years, then passed his knowledge on as a flight instructor for 10 more years. He owned and operated B&N Agro, and he served his community as a poll worker for 17 years in Sunflower and Bolivar counties.

Ray was a member of the Mississippi Aviation Association, the Ruleville Fire Department, the Lions Club and the Jackson Ski Club. He served on the boards of the Mississippi Aerial Applicators, the Ruleville Chamber of Commerce and the Drew-Ruleville Airport. His faith guided his every move. He was an active member of Ruleville Baptist Church for 56 years, where he served as RA leader, usher and a member of the building committee.

Ray loved life. He was a competitive water skier who specialized in jumping and barefoot skiing, and he enjoyed snow skiing too. He loved working with his hands: building, gardening and making stage props. He taught his his grandson, who now is an architect, the joy of creating things and a lasting appreciation for building. His love of airplanes showed in his reading and his travels, and one of his favorite places to be was Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the world's largest air show. Through teaching water skiing, instructing pilots and coaching baseball, he made a lasting difference in the lives of many young people.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Millard and Dessie Neal, and his sister, Christine Neal Klaas. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Shirley Neal of Oxford; his daughter, Carla Parker (Travis E. Parker, Jr "Rusty") of Oxford; his grandchildren, Travis E. Parker III “Tripp” (Victoria) of Brentwood, TN and Neal Ann Chamblee (Tommy Vincent) of Oxford; and his great-grandchildren, Caroline Gray Parker, Warren Travis Parker and Paxton Parker Chamblee. Ray held many titles including husband, father, Uncle, coach, instructor,but his favorite title was always – “Poppy”.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Ruleville Baptist Church, with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Lehrton Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Ruleville Baptist Church or to the Dementia Society of America at Dementia Society of America.

The family extends special thanks to the caregivers at the Magnolia at Oxford Commons, Second Chance and Arden Hospice.