Ray was born on November 28, 1940, son of Moses A. Yowell and Thelma Looney Yowell of Plainview, Texas. He became a Christian at a young age and was a member of College Heights Baptist Church Plainview. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1959 and had a career in agricultural sales first at the Hamby Company for 20 years and then at Peerless Pump for 20 years. Ray lived in Plainview for most of his adult life and raised his family there. He later married Sue Dill and moved to Alba, Texas to retire on Lake Fork. He enjoyed time on the water throughout his life, both fishing and boating, and also took pleasure in gardening and working around the house in his retirement. Everyone who knew Ray knew he had a great sense of humor; he loved to tease and pull pranks.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, brothers Moses Jr., Norman, Randy, and Jerry. He leaves loving memories for his wife Sue Yowell, of the home, daughter Lori Sisemore and her husband Anthony of Tyler, son Mark Yowell and his wife Amy of Wichita Falls, daughter Lisa Yowell and her fiancé Lawrence Vega of Richardson, stepdaughter Kim Bookout and her husband Tim of Highland Village, and stepson Kenn Dill of Atlanta, Georgia. His greatest joy was in spending time with his grandchildren Amber Cummings and husband Zack, Ashley Sisemore, Layton Sisemore, Grayson Yowell, Layne Yowell, Cade Yowell, Shelby Bookout, Morgan Bookout, Barrett Bookout, and Erin Bookout.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, March 15th at 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Alba. Family visitation will be at Lemons Funeral Home in Plainview Thursday, March 19th, from 5:00 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Kress Cemetery in Kress, TX Friday, March 20th, at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kress Cemetery, or to honor the memory of his mother Thelma Yowell, the Alzheimer's Association. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff of the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital in Tyler for their compassionate care during his final days.