Billie Lee

Billie Lee Ray
Born	Billie Lee {{{2}}}/{{{3}}}/1928
Died	2/18/2026 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	First Lady of Iowa, philanthropist
Known for	Former First Lady of Iowa, philanthropy and public service
Education	Drake University
Spouse(s)	Robert D. Ray (deceased)

Billie Lee Ray (née Billie Lee; 1928 – February 18, 2026) was an American public figure who served as First Lady of Iowa during her husband Robert D. Ray's time as governor. She was a Drake University graduate known throughout the state for her steady commitment to philanthropy and public service that lasted several decades. When she died at 97, Iowa's political leaders, Drake University, and community members all remembered her as someone defined by practical service and consistent character. Her life nearly spanned a century of Iowa history, during which she stood as a partner to one of the state's most prominent governors while contributing to numerous civic and charitable causes in her own right.

Education

Ray attended Drake University in Des Moines. Her connection to the institution lasted well beyond her student years. When she passed away, Drake University President Marty Martin sent a message to the campus community in her memory, highlighting her role as both a Drake alumna and former First Lady. The university's student newspaper, The Times-Delphic, also published a tribute noting her Drake status and her decades of involvement with the university community.

Career

First Lady of Iowa

During her husband's governorship, Ray served as First Lady of Iowa. Robert D. Ray was the state's 38th Governor, and she fulfilled the public responsibilities that came with the position. She was recognized as a genuine partner in his public service work, supporting the governor's office while also pursuing her own civic interests.

Philanthropy and Public Service

Ray's real mark came through her extensive philanthropic work and community service across Iowa. Those who knew her best described her charitable activities as rooted in what KCCI called "steady character, practical service." She wasn't chasing headlines. Her approach meant consistency and genuine contributions to her community rather than public recognition. She was someone whose commitment to helping others defined her life, both during and after her years as First Lady.

The Gazette reported that her legacy reached far beyond being a governor's wife. She made her own mark on Iowa through her charitable activities and community involvement. Multiple news outlets and institutions recognized her impact when she died.

Personal Life

She married Robert D. Ray, Iowa's 38th Governor. He passed away before her. They had three children together, who survived her at the time of her death.

Her relationship with Drake University extended throughout her life. The Drake community considered her an important member of their family, and that bond lasted decades past her graduation.

Ray spent her final years in Des Moines. She died on February 18, 2026, at age 97. Drake University announced her death that same day, and major Iowa news outlets including KCRG, KCCI, and The Gazette reported the news.

Recognition

When Ray died on February 18, 2026, tributes came from across Iowa. Drake University President Marty Martin issued a campus-wide message in her honor, describing her as both an alumna and former First Lady. The university's statement honored her ties to the school and to Iowa itself.

KCCI's coverage highlighted how Iowans remembered her as "a lifelong partner in service and character." The station found that people closest to Ray saw a consistent thread through all her work: a commitment to practical action and solid character that shaped her public life.

The Gazette published coverage noting her legacy as both First Lady and as someone who made independent contributions to civic life in the state. KCRG reported on her passing, providing details about her life and noting Drake University's confirmation of her death.

Drake's student newspaper, The Times-Delphic, ran its own tribute, noting that she left behind "a lasting legacy" and was survived by her three children. The coverage showed how deeply the university community valued their connection to her, even decades after she'd been a student there.

Legacy

Ray's legacy in Iowa is connected to that of her husband, Robert D. Ray, remembered as one of the state's most significant political figures. Still, sources at the time of her death noted that her contributions extended well beyond being a governor's spouse. Her independent philanthropic work and her steady presence in civic life over many decades made her a notable figure in her own right.

The tributes published when she died kept returning to the same themes: character, service, and steadiness. KCCI found that those who knew her best saw her philanthropy as driven by practical action, not by wanting attention. News outlets and institutions all echoed this view, suggesting most people saw Ray as someone whose real impact came from what she actually did, not from how visible she was.

Drake University's decision to have its president issue a campus-wide announcement reflected how much her connection to the institution mattered. As both an alumna and a former First Lady, she represented a link between the university and Iowa's political history that the institution chose to formally memorialize.

At 97, Ray's death in February 2026 ended a life that spanned most of Iowa's modern era. Her role as First Lady during a crucial period of Iowa governance, combined with her own decades of community work, secured her place in the state's civic memory.