William Ray James of Holt, MO, passed away on March 6, 2025, from natural causes.
Mr. James was born to Elmer and Opal James on June 20, 1934, in St. Joseph, MO. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, class of 1953. He served in the Army from 1956 to 1962. From 1963 to 1996, he was an airframe and powerplant mechanic/inspector at Trans World Airlines (TWA).
Mr. James was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; known for his quick wit and infectious humor; an avid runner who participated in the Boston, New York, Chicago, Lincoln, and Los Angeles Marathons; car enthusiast; and talented artist. He was a member of the Ford Fairlane 500 Retrack Club. He was the Jesse James Run coordinator for 20 years.
Mr. James was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Catherine Marie (Hinze) James; four children: Mark James, his wife Erika, their three children, Rachel (James) Bacon, Ryanne James, and Jack James, and their two grandchildren, Elowyn Bacon and Calvin Bacon; Pamela (James) Hazel, her husband, Thomas, and their three daughters, Casandra Hazel, Krysta Hazel and Kaylee Hazel; Jeffery James of St. Petersburg, FL; Jason James, his two daughters, Cassie (James) Curtis and Alexandrea Runyan, and three grandchildren, Naya Stokes, Grayson Farris, and Everleigh Curtis.
A celebration of life will take place at 1:00 p.m. on March 15, 2025, at the Holt Veterans Memorial Hall located at 385 Main Street, Holt, MO 64048. Military funeral services will be held on June 20, 2025, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Arrangements are in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
