William "Ray" Austin

Funeral services for William “Ray” Austin, 78, of Lufkin will be held Monday, May 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel under the auspices of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M., with Chaplain M.E. Lyons officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.

Mr. Austin was born December 2, 1940 in Angelina County, Texas to the late Esther (Havard) and William Adam Austin, and died Friday, May 24, 2019 in a local hospice facility.

Mr. Austin was a lifelong resident of Lufkin. He worked in the Maintenance Department of Lufkin Industries, retiring after more than 30 years of service. He was a member of the Shriners and the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A. M. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and riding the roads. Mr. Austin was of the Christian faith.

Survivors include his sisters, Joyce Lakey of Etoile, Bethel Hollingsworth and husband Lonnie of Lufkin; brother, Henry Austin and wife Cindy of Dalhart; sister-in-law, Sandy Austin of Willis; stepchildren, Joe Collins and wife Diane of Huntsville, Gary Collins and wife Vicky of Gladewater, Elsie Walker of Lufkin, Alvin Collins of Douglas, and Alton Collins and wife Shawn of Garrison; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Glenda Collins Austin; brother, J.D. Austin; and sister, Juanita Martin.

Pallbearers will be George Martin, Jr., Spencer Martin, Roy Joe Farmer Brad Jones, James Austin, Alton Collins, Joe Collins, and Alvin Collins.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Children – Houston, Donor Development Office, 6977 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77030.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.