Raymond Jefferson Williamson Jr.

A Life Well Lived
Ray was born on August 14th 1933. He was raised by a loving mother and caring aunts and
uncles in Memphis,Tennessee. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia where he was blessed with a
wonderful younger sister named Dot. They grew up to be close friends, and moved to San
Diego when he was in junior high. Ray graduated from San Diego High School and San Diego
State University. He received his first master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological
Seminary, and second masters degree from San Anselmo Theological Seminary, located in the
Bay area. He spent an additional year studying at Oxford University and completed a 3rd
masters degree in family counseling from National University in San Diego.

However, Ray’s greatest joy and accomplishment has always been his family. He and his first
wife Jenny Jo Warriner had two children, Dottie and Mark, who were born while they were
serving as educational missionaries in South America. After Jenny Jo’s passing, he married
Joan Bragan in San Diego, California. They had two additional children, Becky and Ben. This
last June Ray and Joan were privileged to celebrate 50 years of marriage.

Dad lived an extraordinary life. He loved people, and many were blessed by his ministering
and influenced by his teaching. He was a man of unshakable conviction. He spent his life in
service to the Lord, helping others to better know and understand our Savior Jesus Christ. He
spent roughly 10 years ministering and teaching in Spanish in missionary service in Colombia
and Venezuela. After returning to San Diego, Ray became a pastor to several Presbyterian
congregations. His search to follow the Lord more fully led him to serve as pastor to the Living
Springs Church where he was also the principal of the elementary school. This congregation
became like family, and he frequently reflected on what a wonderful time of spiritual growth this
was for him. The people of that church will always have a special place in his heart. He never
stopped searching and learning what he could about the Lord and his Holy Spirit.
This search led Ray to join the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he served as
a scripture teacher for the congregation and for college students. He also served in the San
Diego Temple and with his local church leadership. A particular joy after retiring was serving a
two year mission teaching classes with Joan at the Institute of Religion located at the
University of Utah, and being involved with international students there. He described joining
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a homecoming, where he made many more
dear friends who have supported and loved him for the past 30 years. By example and by
teaching, he led us as a family and many others into the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He has always known how to minister God’s spirit of grace and love.

Ray was a loving father, grandfather and husband. He was gifted with gentleness. His pets
were also always considered to be part of the family and loved dearly. He was an avid reader,
and especially loved mystery novels. We grew up falling asleep to Dad’s animated and
soothing voice reading us bedtime stories from novels like Huck Fin, the Chronicles of Narnia
and Mary Poppins. He taught us to appreciate the beauty all around us and in the night sky.
One regret was not living long enough to travel into space. It bring us great pleasure to know
he is now free to explore the universe as he pleases. He was known for his colorful personality.
He was unpretentious, disliked fake flowers, phony people, and being on time. He had a
wicked sense of humor; he was irreverent in the best way. He was a talented artist, with an eye
for beauty and design. He especially loved to sketch witty cartoons and pair them with funny
names such as Eileen Dover and her brother Ben.

He enjoyed shopping and spoiling us with treasures found in his far away travels. He loved
exploring museums, he loved music and playing the piano -and spent many hours filling the
house with beautiful music. He was generous and kind, patient and I can’t remember a time
that he raised his voice in anger. Most of all, He loved unconditionally, he loved his family, his
wife, his four children,10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, his sister, his nieces, nephews,
cousins and in-laws.

Being with family brought him his greatest joy. We were incredibly blessed to be raised and
loved by him. He leaves an amazing legacy of faith, love and courage.
At the magical age of 88 on Sept 9th, 2021, Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep. Mom
said, “He’s flown the coop!” Dad called it “graduating”. Congratulations Dad - we are going to
miss you like crazy, but we are excited for you to experience your next great adventure.