Reverend William Rayford

Rev. William Rayford, Jr., 71, was born April 16, 1950 in Kansas City, MO to the union of Willie Rayford and Mary E. Rayford. He made his transition on July 20, 2021 at VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. Rev. Rayford was educated in the Kansas City School District. At the age of fourteen, he professed a Hope in Christ and was baptized under the leadership of Rev. A. M. Hudson, Sr. at Progressive Baptist Church. Progressive has been his only church home.

After high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving his country in a time of war. Rev. Rayford was a graduate of Christ Unlimited Bible Institute. He attended Calvary Bible College and Penn Valley Community College, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in “Pastoral Studies”. Rev. Rayford had been serving in ministry since August 1981; he was ordained in May of 1985 by Pastor Hudson. He held jobs at the Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. and the Kansas City Housing Authority.

The same year he was ordained he married his bride for life, Emma Lue Cunningham Rayford. In January 1994, Rev. William Rayford, Jr. was installed as Pastor of Starlight Baptist Church where he served for sixteen years.

Rev. William Rayford was preceded in death by both parents; a sister, Velma Stewart; brother, Calvin Rayford; and just last month his bride for life, Emma L. Rayford.

He leaves to cherish his memories two sisters, Daisey (Jesse) Taylor and Delores (Chris) King, Kansas City, MO, Larzie (Charlie) Berry, Memphis, TN, god-sister, Ethalia Jones of Dallas, TX; aunts, Rosalee (Cecil) Patterson, Bronson, FL, Mary Rosebud, Kansas City, MO; sisters-in-law, Juanita (Larry) Peyton, Little Rock, AR, Shirley (Jake) Walker, Kansas City, MO, Array (Luther) Gilkey, Russellville, AR, Elaine Brown, Allen, TX; brothers-in-law, Rev. Monscenior (Ella) Cunningham, Kansas City, MO, Marcellious (Joyce) Cunningham and Edmond Cunningham of Atkins, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and church family. Condolences may be offered at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com.