Ramoane R. Williams

Life’s Journey

Roosevelt Ramoane “Ray” Williams

A Gentle Man, A Humble Soul, A Musical Genius

The lyrics of a beautiful song that became the life of Roosevelt Ramoane “Ray” Williams began when he entered this world on September 26, 1959.  Born to his loving parents, Ernestine Pope Williams and Julius Lee Williams (“Little Joseph”), Ray was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and was immediately loved, embraced, and welcomed with open arms as the new addition to the family.  Born a few weeks premature, Ray had to remain in the hospital after his birth.  In spite of the challenges presented at birth and other circumstances the family faced at that time, Ray and his mother were fortunate to be surrounded by love and support of family.  Eventually, with the support of his grandparents, Roosevelt Pope and Olivia Chambers Pope, once Ray  was healthy and strong enough, his mother was able to bring him home from the hospital.  For the next 6 years, the family lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in a house on the Pope family’s land on Pine Street.  

In 1965, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where all of Ray’s grandfather’s siblings (the Pope’s) lived.  It wasn’t long after the family moved to Denver that Ray’s grandparents who had taken him and his mother in, affectionately called “Mawmaw” and Pawpaw, would join the rest of the family by moving to Denver as well. 

Ray was a quiet child who mostly stayed to himself, sitting alone in his room, eating peanut butter.  Ray loved peanut sandwiches!  He was a kind, gentle brother to his siblings and a little bit of a daredevil.  Ray would climb trees with Manwell, and jump off the patio roof. They would build ramps for their biking games and sail through the air like Evil Knievel!  Ramoane taught his younger brother Joe Willie to ride a bike. Ray was a handyman that would figure out how to fix anything. Whether it was an instrument, or an old CD player in your car, Ray was jack-of-all-trades.

As a child, Ray attended church with his mother and siblings.  It was during this time that the foundation of faith and belief in God was laid in his life and allowed him to begin developing his own personal relationship with the Lord.  Ray attended Prince of Peace Church Of God In Christ, Progressive Church of God in Christ, and The lyrics of a beautiful song that became the life of Roosevelt Ramoane “Ray” Williams began when he entered this world on September 26, 1959.  Born to his loving parents, Ernestine Pope Williams and Julius Lee Williams (“Little Joseph”), Ray was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and was immediately loved, embraced, and welcomed with open arms as the new addition to the family.  Born a few weeks premature, Ray had to remain in the hospital after his birth.  In spite of the challenges presented at birth and other circumstances the family faced at that time, Ray and his mother were fortunate to be surrounded by love and support of family.  Eventually, with the support of his grandparents, Roosevelt Pope and Olivia Chambers Pope, once Ray  was healthy and strong enough, his mother was able to bring him home from the hospital.  For the next 6 years, the family lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in a house on the Pope family’s land on Pine Street.  

In 1965, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where all of Ray’s grandfather’s siblings (the Pope’s) lived.  It wasn’t long after the family moved to Denver that Ray’s grandparents who had taken him and his mother in, affectionately called “Mawmaw” and Pawpaw, would join the rest of the family by moving to Denver as well. 

Ray was a quiet child who mostly stayed to himself, sitting alone in his room, eating peanut butter.  Ray loved peanut sandwiches!  He was a kind, gentle brother to his siblings and a little bit of a daredevil.  Ray would climb trees with Manwell, and jump off the patio roof. They would build ramps for their biking games and sail through the air like Evil Knievel!  Ramoane taught his younger brother Joe Willie to ride a bike. Ray was a handyman that would figure out how to fix anything. Whether it was an instrument, or an old CD player in your car, Ray was jack-of-all-trades.

As a child, Ray attended church with his mother and siblings.  It was during this time that the foundation of faith and belief in God was laid in his life and allowed him to begin developing his own personal relationship with the Lord.  Ray attended Prince of Peace Church Of God In Christ, Progressive Church of God in Christ, and In 1987, Ray met a woman by the name of  Sophia while playing at the Splash Club.  Sophia had come into the club to pick up her microphones and Ray had happened to be there, playing with a local band and artist, Coco Brown.  Sophia was immediately captivated and amazed at the way Ray was playing guitar, and shocked by his ability to play keyboard, while also on guitar, and singing.  A fellow musician approached her and said, “This is the guy I have been talking about.”  During that encounter, Ray introduced himself and bought her a drink.  Although their first introduction ended shortly after him buying her a drink, fate would have it that only a few months later, Sophia would need a guitar player.  Her musical director informed her that Ray was not working, and could possibly do some gigs with her. Sophia really needed a guitar player who could also sing.  On Sophia’s birthday at the Ready Room in Denver, Ray sang two songs,  “Slow Jam” and “Two Occasions”, during their performance.  Little did Ray and Sophia know the song, “Two Occasions”, would become their love song. 

Ray married Sophia on his birthday in 1988, and the two were blessed to share countless memories together, as well as welcome the birth of their daughter, Brittany, into their union.  Ray had seen his daughter, Brittany, in a dream before she had been born and told Sophia that their baby would be a little girl.  Brittany was a welcomed addition, joining the ranks of her brothers, Ronnie and Justin.  Ray was an outstanding father to his children and, through his work in the music profession, was able to be a stay-at-home father.  Many mornings, Ray would style Brittany’s hair, and help the kids get ready for school.  Ray taught Brittany and Justin to play guitar and would faithfully show up to school talent shows, playing guitar in the background, demonstrating the tremendous love he had for his children.

In his latter years, Ray endured significant health challenges.  However, through it all, he continued to play professionally, supporting his family and doing the thing he loved most, finding solace, comfort and strength in his music.  Ray and Sophia had recently moved to a new location, with a beautiful view of Sloan’s Lake, where he would awaken early to view the sunrise, take photos, and marvel at God’s creation.  They loved their new place and spent many hours on the penthouse balcony together, enjoying the company and fellowship of family and close friends. 

The final stanza became complete and the last lyrics in the song of Roosevelt Ramoane Williams’ life came to an end as he departed this life on August 31, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.  Ray is preceded in death by his dear mother, Ernestine Pope Williams.  A man loved by many, Ray leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 34 years, Sophia Williams; children, Brittany Williams, Justin Gallegos, Ronald Beall; Father-in-law, Secundino Gallegos; siblings, Pastor Joseph Manwell (Mary) Williams, Loletha (Clif) Jones, Pastors Rita (Rayfield) Whittington, Pastor Don (Tracey) Williams, Phyllis Ann Jackson, and Joe W Williams; brother-in-law, Paul Lucero; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Barney, Debra (Homer) De Van, Dolores Lucero, Laura Miranda, and Gloria Martinez; 7 grandchildren, and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many beloved friends, musicians, and singers.

We are grateful for the life, legacy and song of our beloved Ray, are eternally thankful for the many beautiful songs that will remain and resound as a melody in our hearts and minds in his absence, and look forward to the day when we shall meet again, and behold our Lord and Savior face to face.