Ray was born in Chatfield, Minnesota, on August 18, 1937, to Paul and Lorena (Eickhoff) Hisey. In 1951 the family moved to McMinnville, Oregon. At McMinnville High School, Ray wrestled, played football, and graduated with the class of 1955. On a trip to California with friends, he met Rebecca Griffin and they married on June 23, 1956. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2026.

Ray enjoyed seeing the fruition of his hard work in building residential and commercial buildings, beautiful items for his home, and various wood working craft items which he gifted to many friends and relatives. Throughout his life he owned and operated his own construction and fabrication businesses in Oregon and California.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca; his three children: Belinda (Jeff), Kenny (ex-Wendy), and Doug (Becky); eight grandchildren: Tabitha, Brandon, Sarah, Rachel, Heather, Dalton, Tyler and Willow; 4 great-grandchildren: Corey, Serena, Julia, and Adrian.

He is survived by his brother, Harley, and sisters, Venita and Debbie. He was preceded in death by his siblings Norman, Betty, and Daniel.

As a devoted Jehovah's Witness, he looks forward to God's promise of a resurrection to a new order where he can build beautiful things, get those big fish, and continue his lifelong love of learning.