William Ray McCalister

          Memorial services for William Ray McCalister, 85, of Hudson, will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin with Bro. Ty Phillips officiating.

          Mr. McCalister was born on September 4, 1939, in Dallas County, Texas, to the late Marvin McCalister and Lora (Mikeska) McCalister, and died Friday, August 8, 2025, in Cypress, Texas.

          Mr. McCalister was a long time resident of Hudson, Texas. He was an involved member of the Central Church of Christ and the community around him. Mr. McCalister was a proud veteran who served in the United States Army.

          In his early years, he quit school to help his father who had injured himself, run his mechanic shop in Dallas in order to help support his family. Mr. McCalister met Mary Jo in 1967, married and later welcomed his son Johnny in 1970. He started working for Lufkin Industries as a machinist and by the time of retirement was a Foreman Supervisor for the plant. Mr. McCalister retired after 25 plus years of service with Lufkin Gear Repair. He was well respected by all of his coworkers around the plant.

          In his spare time, Mr. McCalister liked to take his siblings and father outdoors where they went on many hunting and fishing adventures. He liked politics and anything mechanical related. Mr. McCalister was very gifted in the way he could take anything apart and put it back together, most of this was self-taught by reading. His other hobby included shooting sport and was a member of the Angelina Gun Club and NRA. Most of all, Mr. McCalister will be remembered as a Christian, caregiver, family man, provider, and patriot.

           He is survived by his son, Johnny McCalister of Houston, TX; sister, Diane McCalister; and brother, Eddie McCalister.

           Mr. McCalister was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Don McCalister.

           Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.