Ali Wray, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on October 25, 2023, at the age of 79. She was born to Wanda (Ball) and Robert F. Keatley on March 21, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri. The family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri where Ali attended Edison Grade School and Central High School. Upon graduating, she pursued higher education by attending William Jewel College. However, she met the love of her life, John Wray, at her first job as a life guard at Noyes Pool and transferred to Southwest Missouri State University where John attended college.
John and Ali married in 1963, they recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. Ali loved being with her family and planning holidays with them. She also enjoyed needlepoint, working out, reading, traveling, word puzzles and enjoying God’s creations!
Ali is known for her volunteerism and commitment to her community. She served on the boards of United Way (and was the Allocation Chairman for 6 years), President of Allied Arts Council, Chairwoman of Trails West and of the Trails West Steering committee for 10 years, the board of Samaritan Center, Family Guidance Center, Pony Express Museum (where she served as Chairman of the Pumpkin Fest), The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. She also served as a cook at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, was appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan to serve on the Missouri Arts Council and carried the torch for the Olympics when it passed through St. Joseph. She and Sherry Hausman founded Project COPE with the Pony Express Boy Scouts of America which is now known as the high adventure course.
Ali was also very active in Wyatt Park Christian church, serving as deacon, elder and moderator.
Ali is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Wanda Keatley, her brother Bob Keatley, an infant son, and brother-in-law David Morgan.
Ali is survived by her husband John Wray, their children Bob (Brenda) Wray, Stacy (Shon) Petitt, Debbie (Chad) Cotter, and Jenny Wray. Six grandchildren: Caitlin (Kasey) Wray Skala, Skyler Petitt, Boston (Rachele) Wray, Samantha (D’Angelo) McDougal, Keatley Cotter and Jenna Cotter. Five great-grandchildren: Nia McDougal, Margot Skala, Addison Skala, Niko McDougal and Kienan Wray. A sister, Barbara Morgan, sister-in-law Jo Keatley, and step-siblings Kathy Newman, John Parker and Bob Parker and one niece and five nephews.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 2:00 P.M. Sunday, Wyatt Park Christian Church. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. Parking will be available at St. Francis Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Wyatt Park Christian Church or the Pony Express Museum. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
