Rayford Maurice Wilson, Sr. was born to S. A. Wilson and Juanita Monroe Wilson June 14, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He attended Northeast Junior School in 1952, and graduated from Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1955.  He was loved by his classmates.

Rayford was a member of the United States Army.  He served two years during the Korean Conflict.  He served in the infantry where he mastered the use of weapons.

He was very active in his class reunion events in promotion and sales and always attending the celebration.  He had a witty personality and a big heart for people.

In time, he joined his church, Agape New Beginnings.  He served faithfully on the Ushers' Board.  He was well liked and highly respected on his post.

Rayford was a loving husband to Essie for 50 plus years.  He was a great father to their son, Kelvin and her four other children.  Rayford also, co-parented with his first wife, their four children, Anita, Rayford, Jr., Anthony and Craig.

Rayford had a warm, compassionate heart for others.  He always had a trick "up his sleeve" with a big smile on his face like a ray of sunshine.

Rayford departed this life on Monday, February 5, 2018.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Essie Wilson of Kansas City, MO; four sons, Kelvin Wilson, Rayford Maurice Wilson, Jr., Anthony Wilson, Craig Wilson and Charles Brown of Kansas City, MO; step daughter, Linda Chew of Omaha NE; brother-in-law, Emeil P. Humphrey of Kansas City, MO; sister, Barbra Ann Ellis (Sam) of St. Joe LA; son-in-law, Ledell Brown and a host of relatives and friends.  He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.  God made a good man when he made him.