Clay City, Indiana

William Ray “Bear” Travis, 71 life long resident of Clay City, Indiana passed away at Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center in Carmel, Indiana after a brief illness. He was born in Clay County Hospital in Brazil, Indiana on October 16, 1952 the son of the late Loy Roscoe Clayborn Travis and Violet Marie Wilkinson Travis. Bill graduated from Clay City High School in the class of 1970.

Bill was very talented and a perfectionist at everything he did. He loved to work hard and enjoyed life. In 1974 he started working for Peabody Coal Company Jasonville Shops. He was a 50 year member of the United Mine Workers of American Local 1410 District 12 in Indiana, and Local 9177 District 17 in Madison, West Virginia. Bill retired from coal mining on January 14, 2008 from the West Virginia Rocklick Preparation Plant. He has always loved working the dirt and leaving the land better than when he started.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Rae Travis; son, Kevin (Cassie); brother, Ronald (Jeanne) Travis; grandchildren, Chloe, Cammie, and Ben; nieces, Rhonda (Dean), and Rebecca (David); great-niece, Grace; as well as many special friends and extended family.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, August 26, 2024 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Clay City with Pastor Paul Zurcher officiating.