Aubrey "Ray" Hinnant | Raleigh News & Observer

Aubrey "Ray" Hinnant, age 77, of Knightdale, N.C., passed away January 19th after a brief illness.

Born in 1937, he graduated from Corinth-Holders class of ‘55’ before voluntarily enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served for 3 years. He was a devoted husband to his high school sweetheart, Lillie Boyette for 57 years and enjoyed a perfect driving record as a Greyhound bus driver until his retirement. A "scratch 3" golfer, he brought home many trophies over the years and shared his love of the sport with his sons and grandsons.

After retirement, he continued to drive for Race Trucking and Action Couriers until he settled on his primary retirement interests of being a loving grandfather, fishing the N.C. Coastline and playing golf.

Like his father, Ray was a gifted Dowser, and located wells that ran deep and true. An avid fisherman, he loved a speckled trout meal and he handed down the love of fishing and the ocean to all of his children. He was a charter member of Green Pines Baptist Church and brought his children up in the church.

Ray was beloved by his family and was constantly surrounded by them in his last days. He loved his family dearly, he loved his country greatly and loved his Lord Christ Jesus, whom he met at last early Monday morning.

Ray is survived by his wife, Lillie; son Gary and wife Rachelle and grandchildren Nicholas and Sydney of Gallatin, TN; also by his daughter, Cathy Gerrald, husband Robert and grandchildren Steven and his wife Michelle, Daniel of Raleigh. Also survived by his son Jeremy Hinnant of Knightdale; and his daughter Amy Dolan, her husband David and grandchildren James, Lillie Ann, Johnathan and yet to enter this world baby girl Dolan, due in June, of Angier.

Additionally, Ray is survived by his brother Cecil of Selma, and his sister Frances Baker of Rougemont. He is predeceased by his parents, Avery and Thelma and his brother Millard.

Visitation/wake Wed. night 7:00 to 9:00 pm at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service, 944 Old Knight Rd., Knightdale. Funeral service 2pm Thurs. at Green Pines Baptist Church, 1498 Hodge Rd., Knightdale with burial to follow at Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery, 13450 NC Hwy 96, Zebulon, 27597 with Military Honors.

Condolences to the family may be sent to poolefuneral.com under Obituaries.