Royse City, Texas -- Rayburn "Ray" Hale, 77, of Royse City, Texas, passed away on April 1, 2025. Rayburn was born in 1947, in Santa Paula, California, to Rayburn and Lela Hale. He was a 1965 graduate of Bonham High School where he excelled in 4-H and the band being selected as an All State Musician. He attended the University of North Texas and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Rayburn’s pride and joy were his daughter and granddaughters. He was regarded by his daughter as not just a father but as her best friend. He was her rock and confidant, steadfast and loyal. He was known as Papa to his granddaughters and his special name for his oldest granddaughter, Kayla, was BooBoo. He enjoyed family gatherings and always made others smile and laugh.

He was an avid gardener raising some of the best tasting tomatoes. In earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, swimming, hunting, and fishing with his siblings. He loved watching football and was recruited by his sister Kim from being a Cowboys fan to a Houston Texans fan. He proudly wore his Texans jacket and cap around Royse City.

Rayburn was highly skilled in the area of printed circuit board design and fabrication having a career with Texas Instruments and later E-Systems/Raytheon/L3 where he worked for 25 years becoming the manager of the Printed Circuit Board shop.

Rayburn also worked for many years with his father, Rayburn A. Hale, Sr. at Hale Sanitation Service for the city of Bonham and surrounding areas. Rayburn enjoyed working with his father both sharing a close bond.

Rayburn is survived by his daughter, Rachel Martin; three granddaughters: Kayla Virgel, Landry Martin, and Reese Martin; three sisters: Dianna Ridge (Thomas), Kim Wisener (Doug) and Kathy Vaughn (Steve) and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rayburn Hale, Sr. and Lela; and his brother, Gary Hale.

A private service celebrating Rayburn’s life will be held by his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to plant a tree in his memory.

His life was marked by love - the joy of his daughter, granddaughters, siblings and extended family. Today, we rejoice knowing he is experiencing peace and joy.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

You may sign the online guest book at www.coopersorrells.com