Billy Ray was elected to the Georgia Senate from metro Atlanta's 48th Senate District in
1996 for the 1997-98 term of the General Assembly.
A Republican, Ray is a member of the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Transportation and
Rules committees.
Active in political and civic affairs, Ray served as chairman of the Gwinnett County
Republican Party from 1993-95. He is a member of the board of the American Heart
Association - Gwinnett Division and is a former board member of the Lawrenceville
Kiwanis Club.
Ray was born May 3, 1963 in Macon, Georgia and grew up in Peach County. He earned
his BBA, MBA and law degrees from the University of Georgia. He is a partner in the law
firm of Anderson, Davidson and Tate and specializes in business law. Although a newcomer
to the Senate, Ray is no stranger to politics. He is the nephew of former U.S. Congressman
Richard Ray of Perry, and Robert Ray of Fort Valley, who currently serves in the Georgia
House of Representatives. Senator Ray's cousin, Bob Ray, currently serves as Assistant
Secretary of State for the State of Georgia.
Ray and his wife, Kelle Chandler Ray, Ph.D. are the parents of two sons, Chandler
McCrary Ray and Davis Faircloth Ray. They are members of the Lawrenceville First
Baptist Church, where Senator Ray is a deacon.
The 48th District, which Ray represents, includes portions of Gwinnett, Forsyth and Fulton
counties.
November 1998
