Oran Ray Betts

Ray was born on March 24, 1939, in Durham, North Carolina to Oran Ray Betts, Sr. and Alease Betts (both deceased). He has a surviving sister Peggy Spearman, and was preceded in death by sister Lula Ransom, sister Shirley Bowman, plus brother Alfred Betts. 

When he was approximately seven years of age, his parents moved the family from North Carolina to Staten Island, New York. He attended the Staten Island Public School System and graduated from high school in 1956.

His first marriage was November 25, 1957, to Ethel Betts. They were blessed with five children (Cheryl Harris, Oran Ray Betts, III, Diana Hardeman (deceased), Stephanie Betts and Brian Betts (deceased). Ray and Ether were divorced in 1982.

Ray also has a daughter named Crystal Betts and a son named Lamont.

 His second marriage was June 9, 2000, to Catherine Betts. Their two children are Ramona Williams, niece Charisma English. Granddaughter Shatayah Williams and nephew Carter English.

 Ray is survived by his grandchildren (Tonica Cortez, Yolanda Heard, Romero Noble, Crystal Maloy, Monique Maloy, Natasha Gamble, Nyema Hardeman, Littie Maloy, Sierra, Gavin Preston, Josiah Binyard, Jaylen, and Cristina. Also survived by 12 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

Ray retired from MTA after 20 years of service as a bus operator in August or September of 1990. He worked part time for Atlantic Express as a bus operator. He also worked part time for Villa Maran - GMC as a vehicle transporter. 

Ray was one of the founders of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Сбиб. He was a member of The Touch of Class Motorcycle Club. A founding member of the Golden Strikers Motorcycle Club. He also has membership with the Goldwing Riders Association of America and Wing World. 

Ray's favorite place to visit was Lake George. His favorite colors were brown and black. Ray has owned many motorcycles, but his favorite would be the 1981 Black Honda Goldwing and the 1989 Dark Turquoise Honda Goldwing. Ray's first vehicle purchase was a two tone blue 1938 Plymouth. Since that year he has owned a 1952 and 1961 Chevy, 1965 Grand Prix, 1970 green Catalina, 1971 white ford van, 1973 red Grandville (also his favorite of all vehicles owned), 1977 brown custom mural van, 1990 burgundy and gray van, 1991 green Mustang, and lastly his black Chevy Sifverado.Ray's favorite era of music is from the 1950's - 1970's. 

He resided at various locations on Staten Island both as a child and adult. One of his favorite places to five as a child was Todt Hill. This is where he got his love for horses (hence cowboy). He moved from Staten Island and purchased a home in Roselle, New Jersey with Catherine Betts in September 2002. 

Ray has always been a hard worker. He got his first job very young to make his first purchase, which was a Schwinn bicycle. 

Some of Ray's favorite things to do since being a child until now were riding his bicycle, horses, roller skating, and riding his motorcycle. His love for motorcycle riding lasted for more than 50 years. He rode from Canada to Georgia to California. He rode with his fellow club members and co-workers. He covered many thousands of miles. He truly loved the open road and made lifelong friendships as a result.

In Closing 

Ray had open heart surgery in 2008. His recovery went well, and he went on to live a full life.