William "Mike" Raley

William “Mike” Raley, of Gray, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 8, 2020, after an extended illness at the age of 77.  Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at 4:00 PM, at Hart’s Mortuary Jones County Chapel. Burial will be private. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 886 Mulberry St, Macon, GA 31201, or to New Haven Baptist Church Building Fund, 893 New Haven Church Road, Gordon, GA, 31031. 

Mr. Raley graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree.  He not only spent many years as a Human Resources Manager for Freeport Kaolin and Engelhard, he was a very successful entrepreneur.  Mr. Raley started his own family-operated NASCAR related business known as Frequency Fan Club.  He spent years acquiring the necessary frequencies to allow NASCAR fans to listen to their favorite drivers communicate with their crew chief with scanners and headsets.  Many people have copied the Frequency Fan Club, but Mr. Raley was the originator of this business concept.  The family continues to own and operate the business to this day.  Mr. Raley was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed spending time with his family.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Rembert Raley, Jr., and his stepson, Chris Hatcher. 

Mr. Raley is survived by his wife, Ruth Raley, of Gray; son, Mike (Kimberlee)Raley, of Atlanta; son, David Raley, of Gray; stepson, Lint (Susan) Hatcher, of Macon; sister, Martha (Jim) Buffington, of Aberdeen, MS; sister-in-law, Jane Raley, of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Hunter, Madison, Will, Nicki, Scott, Nicholas, Sarah, Holly, and Katy; great-grandchildren, Whitney, Zane, Abigayle, Laken, Caleb and Brantley, and the mother of David and Michael Raley, Mary Alice Raley. 

The family would like to send a special thank you to the Encompass Hospice team for the wonderful care given to Mike over this past year and for the kindness shown to our family.  Also, special thanks to our caregivers, Dianna Mann with Caring Companions, as well as Sarah Cole, and Bootsie. 

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences. 

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements. 

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