W. A. Ray

Profession & Business: He was a prominent local stonemason and the proprietor of the Bristol Marble Works. His business specialized in manufacturing monuments and tombstones for the region.

Local Impact: Shortly after Bristol's first monument business was established around 1860, Ray founded his own monument works, which operated successfully for many decades. Because he produced regional tombstones for so long, his craftsmanship is almost certainly still standing today throughout local historic graveyards, including East Hill Cemetery and Beeler Cemetery.

Bristol Footprint: Turn-of-the-century Bristol city directories list his State Street business locations at 206 State Street and later 118 State Street. His personal residence was located on 4th Street (recorded at 302 4th St. and later 500 4th St.).