Birth and death info from death certificate, as per Karen Shurtz. Obit provided by Karen Shurtz:
"Millard County Progress
6/19/1925
JOSEPH E. RAY DIES SUDDENLY
Joseph E. Ray died suddenly at his home in Fillmore, Wednesday at 5 o'clock in the evening. Mr. Ray was apparently in the best of health, having spent a good portion of the day in his garden. Shortly before 5 o'clock he was visiting pleasantly with his wife and W.A. Ray, his son, on the porch at his home. He had remarked shortly before that he had never felt better in his life and was planning a fishing trip for the following day. A few minutes before his death he was seized with a pain which lasted a few seconds, when he suddenly collapsed. A few minutes later Dr. Maxon stated that he had passed away of heart failure, suddenly and with scarcely any conscious pain.
Joseph E. Ray was born January 7th, 1851, being past 74 years of age. He came to Fillmore with his father John A. Ray in 1853. Here he has resided with the exception of a few years in Salt Lake City, since that time. Mr. Ray is survived by his wife, Mary E. Ray and three sons, Raymond Ray, Clinton D. Ray and W. A. Ray, and two daughters, Mrs. Ruby R. Davies of Portland, Oregon and Mrs. Josie R. Geeenwood of Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Ray had an eventful career as a boy in the Pioneer days of Fillmore. He belonged to the sturdy band of men known as the Black Hawk Indian War Veterans. He was active for many years in defending his neighbors against the outlaws, who infested Southern Utah in early days. He, with Wise Cropper and Peter Huntsman broke up the Ben Tasker gang of outlaws at Deseret Springs and with Mr. Cropper and others captured and broke up the Francis-Ney band of highwaymen 50 miles west of Fillmore, after a serious shooting affray, in which two of the highwaymen were badly wounded.
Mr. Ray was active in the promotion and development of mines and big agricultural enterprises in Utah and other western states. He was a man of active mind and vigorous enterprise, always occupied with matters of importance. His favorite pastime, aside from athletic sports, in which he always excelled, was agriculture and gardening. In these occupations he was well versed and quite successful.
Three years ago he retired from business in Salt Lake City and moved to his old home in Fillmore, where he kept a garden and directed the development of a splendid farm of 280 acres in the artesian well belt west of Fillmore. The funeral services will be held in the chapel at Fillmore, Sunday at 2 o'clock p.m.