Ray was born in Joshua, TX, Nov. 21st, 1940, to educators Walter and Alma Hildebrand. Later his family moved and lived in Harlingen, TX.
Eventually, with a basketball in one hand and a guitar in the other, Ray attended Navarro Jr. College, winning all-state honors and then finished his education at Howard Payne University where he married his college sweetheart, a Baptist Ministers daughter, Judy Bob Hendricks, Feb. 1, 1964.
While at Howard Payne, Ray wrote Billboards #1 song, "Hey Paula", topping the chart; Valentines Week 1963, with Jill Jackson (Paula) they had other topping songs, "Young Lovers", "First Quarrel", and more. So Americas Sweethearts, "Paul and Paula" toured the world.
With his music career flourishing, Ray then took a job in Kansas City, with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, entertaining at 100's of youth camps all over the nation, singing about his best friend, Jesus.
Ray loved people and never missed an opportunity to show and share the love of Jesus Christ with others everywhere he went.
As Ray's singing career continued, he and a friend, Paul Land, formed a type of Christian comedy duo, "Land and Hildebrand". AGAIN, touching lives with the love of Jesus all over the world.
When Ray was home, he enjoyed his family time with his wife and children, Heidi and Mike. He loved family car trips to see relatives, calling that time together, "his heaven".
Ray was also on staff at several churches, including Nall Avenues Baptist Church and produced several shows for the local Christian network, Channel 50.
Ray is preceded in death by his wife Judy.
Ray was born in Joshua, TX, Nov. 21st, 1940, to educators Walter and Alma Hildebrand. Later his family moved and lived in Harlingen, TX.
Eventually, with a basketball in one hand and a guitar in the other, Ray attended Navarro Jr. College, winning all-state honors and then finished his education at Howard Payne University where he married his college sweetheart, a Baptist Ministers daughter, Judy Bob Hendricks, Feb. 1, 1964.
While at Howard Payne, Ray wrote Billboards #1 song, "Hey Paula", topping the chart; Valentines Week 1963, with Jill Jackson (Paula) they had other topping songs, "Young Lovers", "First Quarrel", and more. So Americas Sweethearts, "Paul and Paula" toured the world.
With his music career flourishing, Ray then took a job in Kansas City, with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, entertaining at 100's of youth camps all over the nation, singing about his best friend, Jesus.
Ray loved people and never missed an opportunity to show and share the love of Jesus Christ with others everywhere he went.
As Ray's singing career continued, he and a friend, Paul Land, formed a type of Christian comedy duo, "Land and Hildebrand". AGAIN, touching lives with the love of Jesus all over the world.
When Ray was home, he enjoyed his family time with his wife and children, Heidi and Mike. He loved family car trips to see relatives, calling that time together, "his heaven".
Ray was also on staff at several churches, including Nall Avenues Baptist Church and produced several shows for the local Christian network, Channel 50.
Ray is preceded in death by his wife Judy.
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