Rays celebrate 73rd
Submitted by Casscounty1 on
Former Linden residents Bill and Bess Ray celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Nov. 2. Their marriage continues to endure.
In mid-June some 73 years ago, Bill Ray, a United States Marine, was transferred from Dallas to the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Nashville, Tenn. One Sunday morning at church, Bess Simpson walked into the Young People’s Class and there he was (not in uniform) and the only vacant seat was beside him. They sat together during church services, after the services Bill asked to drive Bess home.
By mid-September they decided to be married on Nov. 2, 1940. It was noted that 1940 was a leap year, but when it was announced that Bill Ray and Bess Simpson were to be married on that date, everyone said, “That’s Sadie Hawkins Day!” The wedding went on as planned.
Bill served in the Marine Corps for 23 years, participating in World War II and Korea. Bess traveled with him all over the states with two babies, John and Robert, both now senior citizens themselves.
After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1959 and from E. F. Hutton in 1978, Bill and Bess talked about where they should live. Bill suggested his home area of Cass County, where they resided until 2011. At that time in life, they both decided it would be easier for them if they were to move to an assisted living facility, where they now reside.
Bill was recently hospitalized and operated on for a fractured hip on Oct. 23 and on Oct. 25, Bill was taken to rehab in Tyler and is doing very well. Bess goes to visit him as often as she is able, but if not, she waits for his phone call each morning.
Oh what a love affair!
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