William Ray ‘Willie Ray’ Harvell, 84, of San Saba, Texas, joined our Lord and Savior on May 19, 2025. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the San Saba City Cemetery under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home in San Saba.
Willie Ray was born October 8, 1940, in Port Lavaca, TX. He was the son of William Walter and Georgia. He moved to San Saba on April 15, 1959, where he got his first job at Golding Motors in San Saba, Texas. He began as a make ready technician. He basically washed new and used vehicles getting them ready to sell. He loved to talk about Tommy Golding inspecting them to be sure they were clean as a whistle by giving them his white handkerchief test. He later was a mechanic there for many years. He did work at Max Mahan Ford Tractor in 1965-1966 before going back to Golding Motors. He was injured when a vehicle fell on his head on April 15, 1980. He opened Ray Harvell’s Garage when he was able to go back to work in 1982 and operated it until he sold it in 1995. He had a knack for remembering dates and many times we heard him quote these dates. If you knew Ray, you know he truly cared for all those around him and wanted to help everyone he could. He was proud of his time spent as a volunteer fireman in San Saba. He was a member of the Lions Club and oversaw beginning the Armadillo Football flag project. He even served a term as city alderman from 1980-1982. Willie Ray enjoyed volunteering for the kid fishing events at Mill Pond Park. He enjoyed giving back to the community.
Willie Ray was an avid fisherman. When he got older, he spent many months every year in his camper at Lake Buchanan or Richland Chambers Reservoir so he could spend his time fishing. He was fondly known to his grandkids as “Fish Pawpaw.” His fishing friends will remember how he always had more fishing poles than everyone, and how he was always trying new kinds of bait. He could bring in a mess of catfish just about any day. There was never a bad day fishing for him. He loved cooking the fish for friends and family. His last very enjoyable fishing trip was the first weekend of May this year. He and Cindy caught several nice catfish each day they went out fishing. She was so happy to see him in such good spirits even with his physical ailments.
Ray will be remembered as a friendly guy who would stop to have a conversation with anyone and everyone. He loved spending time building things with scraps of wood and many people have John Wayne pictures hanging in their home in a frame he made.
He was very proud of his daughters, Cindy Rogers and Tina Harvell as well as his grandkids Shelby, Koby, Harley and Brody. He was always quick to brag on them to all his friends and anyone else that would listen. And if he was not talking about his family
or a fish story, you would hear about his dogs. He had many loyal dog companions over the last few years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jimmy and Johnny and sister, Mary plus many half brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his daughters Cindy Rogers and husband Keith Rogers of Hamilton, Texas and Tina Harvell of San Saba, Texas. And grandchildren, Shelby Diehm and husband Seth Diehm of Osawatomie, Kansas; Koby Rogers of Fort Worth, Texas; Harley Rogers of Spring, Texas; and Brody Rogers of Dayton, Texas; as well as great grandchildren, Stetson Diehm and Sterling Diehm, and also a few dear cousins and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the San Saba County Friends of Animals: PO Box 423, San Saba, Texas 76877.
Pallbearers: Keith Rogers, Koby Rogers, Brody Rogers, Seth Diehm, Mike Reeves, and Johnny Reeves.
