Wayne was born at Elk City Hospital on August 19, 1944 to Wesley Garrett Ray and Jean Alice (née Martin) Ray and passed away on Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 at the age of 78. He grew up on the family farm with his sister Karen and his double cousin/best friend/semi-brother, David Martin. Wayne learned to farm early and was at his happiest driving a tractor. He went to Elk City Schools where he excelled in the sciences. He graduated as the Valedictorian of his class and went to Oklahoma City University on scholarship where he completed his bachelor's degree in chemistry. While there, he met the love of his life Carolyn Sanders, and they were married on May 29, 1964. Wayne began his master's degree in chemistry, but felt the need to join the workforce to support his growing family. He started working as a chemist and engineer for a helium plant in SW Kansas, until an opportunity arose when 3M built a new plant in Weatherford. He joined their operations from the very beginning of the Weatherford plant, where he was instrumental in developing film coating technology that was used across the world. His "real world know-how" separated him from most engineers, and 3M recognized his contributions by awarding him the "Golden Step", the company's highest honor, four different times. He even traveled to help 3M install his process at new plants in Alabama and Paris, France. When his kids went to college, he and Carolyn moved to Granbury, Minnesota, where his career progressed until he moved back to Weatherford to be closer to family in 1996. He continued to work for "The Plant" until he retired in 2000. In his retirement, he kept busy driving "hot shot" and farming for friends like Tim Lowry.

Wayne was best known as "Papa" to his family. He knew how to fix almost anything, and was the first call when anyone needed help. He loved to play with his grandbabies, cooking them breakfast and taking naps in his chair after reading to them. He also loved to fish, and he was good at it- he once caught a 9.5lb walleye out of Canton Lake which would have won $1000 at the Walleye Rodeo. He passed on a love of fishing to both of his sons and loved to spend time at the lake with his friends, especially Rodney Corlee.

Wayne grew up in the Church of Christ and was always active, either singing, leading, or serving. He served as an Elder in the Woodbury Church of Christ during his time in Minnesota, and was a deacon in the Weatherford Church of Christ, serving the Bible chair and even doing the books for the church.

Wayne was survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Ray; his sister Karen and husband Ralph White; his two sons James "Skeet" Ray, and Dr. Jason and wife Dr. Kathryn Ray; his five grandchildren Jessa and Husband Cody Jarvis, Jayden and wife Kaylin Ray, Jaquelyn and husband Quentin Sims, James Preston "J.P." Ray, and Jaelynn Ray; and his three great grandchildren Charlie Wayne Jarvis, Chelsea Jarvis, and Callum Jarvis.