Billy Ray McGahey

Billy Ray McGahey, age 88, was called home to the Lord on May 12, 2025, at Riverside St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Reform, AL. Rev. Jim Brooks of Birmingham will be officiating, and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Arei Bain McGahey, his parents, four brothers (Harvey, Boyd, Talmadge, and Allen), and four sisters (Laura, Belle, Hazel, and Mary). Survivors include his son, Michael R. McGahey (Jean); daughter, Nancy M. Sima (Dan), all of Jacksonville, Florida; 2 step-grandchildren, Lovelyn Kaye Alesna (Jay) and Danny Sima (Nikki), 3 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Billy Ray was born February 18, 1937, in Reform, Alabama, to the late Ellis T. McGahey and Estelle Keasler McGahey. After graduating from Liberty School, he served in the Air Force until he returned home to help his father on the family farm. One fateful day in Tuscaloosa, Billy Ray reconnected with Arei Bain, a childhood friend, when they passed each other crossing a street downtown. Thus begins a great love affair lasting 60 years. They married in 1961 and lived in Birmingham, Alabama, while they raised their family. Billy Ray retired in 1998 from the Social Security Administration in Birmingham, AL. After retirement, they moved to Tavares, Florida. In 2017, they moved to Jacksonville, FL, to be closer to family. Billy enjoyed working in the yard, traveling, and time with family. He was a member of Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Reform, AL. After Arei’s death in 2017, Billy Ray moved to Brandon Place at Moosehaven, a retirement community on the St. Johns River located in Orange Park, Florida. During Billy Ray’s last days, Moosehaven staff were truly a support system for the family. We can never repay their kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3951 County Road 45, Reform, AL 35481.