“It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of Will D. Ray, son of Dr. James R. Ray, of Harrisonville, which occurred last Sunday evening, at the residence of his father, at 20 minutes past 10 o’clock, of diphtheria.”
“William D. Ray was born at Harrisonville, Ohio, February 1, 1860, and was at the time of his death 25 years, 7 months and 12 days of age. He attended the public school of this place until about the age of 16, when he entered the Portsmouth High School, graduating therefrom with honors, June 26, 1879.”
“After graduating at Portsmouth he attended the Ohio State University, at Columbus, for a term of two years. He then taught three successful terms of school, and was engaged this winter to teach what is known as the Stockham school. He was an excellent teacher and his loss to the profession is a great one. He had commenced the study of law, having taken a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Law School last winter.”
“In social life he was pleasant and affable, and always had a kind word for everyone. The death of a young man thus happily endowed is a loss to the community, and one that can not be repaired in the family circle.”
“The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Cherrington, pastor of the M.E. Church of the place, after which the remains were interred in the Squires cemetery.”
“The floral offerings were very beautiful and appropriate, among which were: wreath, Miss Emma Ehrlich; cross, Mrs. Rigrish and Mrs. Gray.”1
