William Ray Roark, also known by his friends and trucking buddies as “Double R,” entered eternal rest on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard, Kentucky, surrounded by his loving family.
Ray was born on November 3, 1935, in Breathitt County, Kentucky, to the late Earl and Irene Burton Roark. He was a retired coal truck driver who took great pride in his work and the friendships he made along the way. Ray loved the outdoors and cherished time spent with his family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his favorite outdoor activity was riding his trike and spending time at his camper.
Ray was a faithful member of Tar Ridge Church of God in Rogers, Kentucky, and Middle Quicksand United Baptist Church in Guage, Kentucky. He also served as the oldest member of Breathitt Masonic Lodge #649 at the time of his passing.
Ray is survived by his wife of 10 years, Brenda Rose Roark;
sons: Doug Roark (Brenda) of New Lebanon, Ohio; Billy Ray Roark (Missy) of Guage, Kentucky; and Brandon Lee Roark of Guage, Kentucky;
daughters: Carolyn Roark Smith (Hirley) of Winter Haven, Florida;
adopted daughter: Lisa Spencer (Paul) of Rogers, Kentucky;
sister: Lois Ann Crase of Salyersville, Kentucky;
son-in-law: Eddie Dale Turner of Corbin, Kentucky;
along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Irene Burton Roark; his daughter, Brenda Roark Turner; brothers: Eddie Roark (Lorene), Paul David Roark, Earl David Roark, and Kenneth Dean Roark; and sisters: Opal Jean Caskey and Ailene Cole.
Visitation for Ray will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Breathitt Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with Masonic rites at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, December 28, 2025, beginning at 2:00 p.m., with Paul Spencer and Hirley Smith Jr. officiating.
Burial will follow in the Roark Family Cemetery at Guage, Kentucky.
Pallbearers will be Danny Jones, Neal Watkins, Jaden Watkins, Benny Collinsworth, Tim Miller, Len Montgomery, and Gary Crace.
Honorary pallbearers are Earl Stevens, Everett Spencer, Todd Lindon, Donnie Smith, Ray Clemons, Charles Swift and Tim Spencer.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
