Kelis Ray Weese was born on December 31, 1952 in White Sulphur Springs, WV, the son of the late Betsy Ross Looney Weese and Kelis Elwood Weese. In addition to his parents, he died of his stepmother Lilly Bailey Weese by White Sulphur Springs.
Kelis Ray died on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from his family at home in Covina, CA.
He is survived by his wife Corine Lugo Weese from Covina, approx. His son Ernest Paul Cecena and husband William Leonard Kistler from Palm Springs, CA; His daughter Christine Celia Cecena Oniveros and her husband Fred Jose and her son Fred Jose (grandson) from Ontario, Ca; His uncle Elgee Weese and his wife Madelyn and her children from Saint George, Utah; His aunt Barbara Jeane Baker and her son of Falls Church, va; His sister Victoria Weese Poe from Lewisburg; His brother William Walter Weese “WW” by White Sulphur Springs (“WW” has died since then, he died on Monday, February 24, 2025); His sister Kathy Bailey Sampson and her husband Vance and her children and grandchildren from Lewisburg; His brother David Bailey and his wife Dawn and their children from North Carolina.
Kelis Ray grew up in West Virginia and liked to play sports and many outdoor activities. Kelis Ray played baseball and basketball throughout his elementary school years. He enjoyed riding and provided horses, together with hunting and fishing.
Kelis Ray completed the Greenbrier East High School, class from 1970. In January 1971, Kelis Ray joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18, where he was trained as a technical mechanic of the Air Force. He served in the Air Force for a year before he received honorable discharge in August 1972. Kelis Ray returned to his hometown, where he worked as a general entrepreneur, a trade that he learned from his father. He worked under construction for several years before leaving West Virginia to pursue employment in California.
In California, Kelis Ray took the opportunity to take a new career path. He attended a commercial school in which he received his certification in information technology “IT”. He further developed his “IT” skills through participation in the project management institution, where he received his certification in the Project Manager Professional “PMP”. Kelis Ray continued to concentrate on the development of his skills “IT” and “PMP” and was ultimately certified as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt by SSD Global Solutions in the project management methodology.
Kelis Ray worked as a project manager in information technology for over 40 years. With his work orders to other countries, he was able to travel to Poland, Germany and Australia to name just a few.
Kelis Ray was a man of unshakable integrity and pride. His drive, determination and ingenuity were prominently prominently for everyone who knew him. He believed in the value of hard work. There was no job or a task for Kelis Ray.
Kelis Ray was loyal, responsible and committed. He understood that the word of a man and a firm handshake were a symbol of sincerity and integrity. Kelis Ray wore these values throughout his life and never fluctuated from them.
Later in life, Kelis Ray's passion turned into golf and photography. He was known as a “family photographer”. Over the years, he passionately archived all the events of his family, special occasions, family benchmarks and precious family moments.
On Kelis Ray's days off from work, he loved playing golf, cooking, spending time with his family, and he loved grilling. For the holidays, he treated his family with his delicious, fried Türkiye.
Over the years, life for Kelis Ray slowed down. He continued to enjoy his family, especially his grandson Freddy. Kelis Rays many wonderful properties and values have certainly had a powerful and positive effect on his children. Kelis Ray was a calm and modest man, but devotion to his family and the purpose made a loud statement to everyone who knew him.
There is a lot to say for integrity, principle, character, leadership, dedication and strength. These are the standards in which Kelis Ray lived his life. He never swayed and he never broke code.
Kelis Ray was a friendly, caring, compassionate, loving man with an old soul and a gentle spirit. He was greater than life and will be missing from everyone.
A celebration of life for Kelis Ray will take place on July 6th at 11 a.m. in the Funeral Home in Wallace & Wallace in White Sulphur Springs. The internment follows on the Lewis Tunnel Cemetery in Alleghany, VA,
The family will receive family and friends on July 6 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.