Clovis Ray Williams, having reached 87 years of age, departed his family and friends after a brief illness, on July 30, 2020 while in care at the Integris Hospice House of Oklahoma City. Ray passed into the loving arms of his Savior, being surrounded in his last days with his four children at his side.
“Shugg” Cofer, as he was known throughout his boyhood years, was born April 13, 1933 on the Cofer Family farm near Ninnekah, Oklahoma. He was the son of Jerry Dalton and Vernie-Jewel Williams, but was raised by his grandparents, Ike and Ollie Cofer. It was Grandma Cofer who first said Ray was such a sweet little baby, that he must be “sweet as sugar”. So the nickname “Shugg” was born, and “C. Ray Williams” was known as “Shugg Cofer” to his immediate family for the remainder of his years.
Ray graduated from Alex High School in 1951. Following graduation, he served in the US Air Force, during the Korean War. During his time in the military he reached the rank of Master-Sergeant. Ray was always particularly proud of his military service.
In 1953, he married Peggy Jo Hopkins, who was working as a telephone operator for the Chickasha phone company. Ray and Peggy made their first home there in Chickasha while Ray attended Oklahoma University. In 1960 he graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, and began a long career of developing and supervising oil and gas projects– all the while rearing four children and relocating the family to 12 different destinations across 6 different states.
The pinnacle of Ray’s career was with the U.S. Department of Energy serving as the Director of the US Naval Petroleum Reserve. “The Reserve” as it is often called, is one of the world’s largest oil, gas, and shale deposits, and reaches throughout the state of Wyoming and into Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. It is owned and operated by the United States government to serve as an emergency military fuel supply in time of war.
After retiring from managing The Reserve in 1995, Ray and Peggy relocated to Yukon, Oklahoma and selected First Baptist as their church home where they have been active for many years. Ray and Peggy celebrated 66 years of marriage before she passed just 10 months ago. Ray’s hobbies included fishing, playing golf, and spending time with the family.
Along with a host of dearly loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and siblings, Ray is survived by his four children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren– all of whom have been blessed by their love for Christ, and their love for family.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 3, 2020 at First Baptist Church, Yukon. Ray was interred beside his wife, Peggy, at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Those who wish to remember Ray in a special way may make gifts in his memory to The Baptist Children’s Home, or Yukon First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.
