Chickasha, OK - A graveside funeral service for Billy Ray McVey will be held at 10:00am, Friday, August 15, 2025 at Fairlawn Cemetery, Chickasha, OK, under the direction of McRay Funeral Home. There will be no viewing.

Billy Ray McVey was born at home on the family farm north of Verden to William Martin McVey and Stella Chloe (Wood) McVey on November 16, 1934. It was both his great grandfather's birthday, John Clement McVey, and Oklahoma's statehood day.

At age 10, Bill was in a severe horse accident and unable to attend the 5th grade. He was home schooled that year due to his injuries and due to the threat of contracting polio in his weakened state. He was baptized in the Washita River as a boy. During high school, he played on the Verden basketball team, was a member of FFA, and the janitor at the National Bank in Verden, cleaning the bank building before going to school. He farmed after school and worked as the projectionist at Verden's Main Street movie theater. He was very adept at fishing in the Washita River and in 1948 he caught (by hand) a flathead catfish that was 45 inches long and weighed 45 pounds. There are photos to prove this! In 1952 he graduated from Verden High School.

During college at Oklahoma City University (OCU), Bill worked evenings and weekends at a shoe store in downtown Oklahoma City. He met Jannis Ferne Rethford in Economics class at OCU. He graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1956, earning a Bachelor of Industrial Arts degree. Bill married Jannis in Oklahoma City on July 26, 1957. They had two children: Jeffrey Ray in 1958 and Shelli Kay in 1965.

Bill worked as a life insurance agent for Phoenix Mutual and became regional manager for North American Benefit Association in Oklahoma City. He earned his private pilot's license so he could fly himself to western Oklahoma to see his clients. He was a founding member of the All-College Basketball Tournament. Bill worked with Jeff on his many scouting projects and Bill was a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 34 in Oklahoma City. He was a board member at Lakeview Park Nazarene Church.

In 1974, Bill and the family moved from Oklahoma City to Chickasha. Bill resumed farming/ranching after his father's retirement. Bill owned and operated Verco Sod. Through this business, he met many home builders and contractors in the Blanchard and Newcastle area.

Bill was very active in the Grady County Historical Society - Most Valuable Volunteer in 2004. Offices held: President, Board Member, Tour Guide and Operations Manager at the Museum in the Dixie Building. Leadership Chickasha Class IX, Two-Timer Award. Rotary Club, Chickasha: Three Time Member Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Bill received recognition for three years of perfect attendance.

He served on the Board of Adjustment, City of Chickasha, 1999-2002. He was a member of the National Cattleman's Association; Builders Association of South-Central Oklahoma; National Association Home Builders; Chickasha Chamber of Commerce; and Epworth Methodist Church.

He was a voracious reader of everything from poetry to Native American History; enjoyed classical music; loved attending the Lyric Theater and he loved the history of Grady County.

Bill was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 63 years, Jannis; his parents; and his younger sister Chloe Ann McClure and her husband, Darrell.

Bill is survived by a very loving family that includes his son Jeffrey Ray McVey and wife Rena, Chickasha, OK; daughter Shelli Kay Wasson and husband Craig, Oklahoma City, OK; grandson Mitchell Hart McVey and his children great-granddaughter Mali'a K.; great-grandsons Rayden Tully and Asher Zane McVey, Oklahoma City, OK; step-granddaughter, Ashley Sharp and her son, Nicolas and daughter Emery, Chickasha, OK; Jantana Laonoochai of Bangkok, Thailand, a dear family friend for more than 40 years; caregivers Wanda Powell, Connie Pennell, Ruthie Gore, and Kristy Kelley.

Pallbearers are Todd McClure, Levi McClure, Ed Granger, Danny Meyer, Darryn Mills and Jeff Taylor. Honorary pallbearers are A.J. Choate, Eddie Flood, and Sid McVey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cardiovascular Research, 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104.