Hollis Ray Donaldson

Ray Donaldson who was also known as Haliburton & Dawson, but best known as PawPaw, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 at Ascension All Saints Hospital.

Ray was born on October 9th, 1942 in Alamo, TN. As a young boy he relocated to Racine, WI to join his parents Marshel & Idell Dawson Halliburton where he resided until his death.

In his younger years, he worked as a semi-truck driver & at Bell City before settling at J.I. Case where he worked for over thirty years, retiring in 2004.

Ray enjoyed riding his motorcycles & attending the bike round-up events in various cities & states. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hanging out with friends and family. You could also catch him socializing at the gas station with his “brothers”. And you could never hear one of his stories or jokes too many times.

He leaves to cherish his memory two children Michael (Latasha) Donaldson & Michelle (John) Donaldson Epps of Racine, WI, 4 step-children Debra Wortham, Jacqueline Wortham Dawson of Racine, Keith Wortham of Minnesota, and Gary Wortham of California. 4 grandchildren, Brandie Shelly, Daryian (Tyler) Lucas, Damani Shuford, and Mekiah Donaldson, and 3 step-grandchildren. 5 great-grandchildren, Mi Shelly, Malik Shelly, Paxton Lucas, Peyton Lucas, and Arayah Barker and 5 great-stepchildren. 1 brother Patrick Smith of Alamo, TN, 2 sisters-in-law, Bobbie Goolsby of Oxford, MS, Mamie Jennings of Racine, WI, 2 brothers-in-law, Tom (Velma) Pegues, Racine, WI, Johnny Pegues of TX. A special cousin who was more like a sister, Mildred Blythe of TN, and a large extended list of family and friends who all loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents Idell (Marshel) Haliburton, Johnie Donaldson, two brothers, one sister, one ex-wife, four sister in laws, two brother in laws, and a list of other family members.

A Homegoing celebration will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11 am at the Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home 803 Main St. with Pastor Tony Mundy officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service 10- 11am.