Ray “PaPa” Pierce

The family of Ray “PaPa” Pierce will celebrate his life of 89 years at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at the Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. His family will host a time of fellowship and remembrance from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, October 11, 2021, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. He passed on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. We invite you to view the live-streamed service, sign his virtual guestbook, and download his memorial keepsake folder to your device for printing here on this page.Billy Ray Pierce was born on November 17, 1931, to Jubert and Leta Pierce in the small town of  Afton, Texas.  His sister, Darlene was born to the family a few years later.In 1947, while working at a local drug store at the age of fifteen, Billy fell in love with sixteen-year-old Jody Andrews, and the following February they wed.  Billy Wayne was born to the young couple later that year.  Johnny and Penny came a few years after and their family of five was complete before Billy Ray was 23 years old.Billy Ray was a fast learner and pretty much a “self-taught” man.  To support his family in those early years he worked as a plasterer and a fireman.  While working as a fireman he taught himself how to repair televisions.  Later when he attended a class on TV repair the instructor told him, “Bill, you know more TVs than I do, you ought to be teaching this class!”  So, the teacher resigned and Billy taught the class!In 1956 Bill started repairing TVs out of his garage and in 1960 he opened “Ray’s TV and Appliance”.  He operated that store for 44 years and built great relations with people throughout the city.  While the owner of the store he taught himself the basics of real estate and took a class and achieved the status of Certified Commercial Investment Member.  He was one of only three or four people to receive that status in Lubbock at the time.  He was one of the founding members that launched WestMark Realtors in Lubbock.Throughout his life, Bill loved to dance & travel, and he loved women.Several days ago he was overheard talking to a friend about her son dying and he said, “I’m ready to go.  I can hardly wait to see my boys and my sweet little Jody!”  On October 6, 2021, just a little more than a month shy of his 90th birthday, Bill did just that, he joined the boys and his sweet Jody along with family and friends who had preceded him in death.He is survived by his sweet daughter Penny Powers, 8 grandchildren Casandra, Billy Shayne, Beverly, Nicole, Paige, Paris, Lindsey, and Reagan. He was also “Papa” to18 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.