Raymond “Ray Ray” Bragg Fillpot, 62, of Fayetteville, West Virginia, passed peacefully down the eternal river on August 9, 2026, after a brief and sudden battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ray was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 22, 1964. After moving with his family to Joliet, Illinois, he played quarterback, ran track, and played in the band in junior high and high school. He graduated with a BA in Accounting and an MBA from Texas Tech University and continued to avidly follow Red Raiders sports and the Dallas Cowboys, as well as his Chicago Cubbies throughout his whole life.

At 18, Ray began working as a whitewater river guide, which became his lifelong career and passion. Ray was guiding on the New and Gauley rivers with Adventures on the Gorge before his passing, but also guided on the French Broad, Nolichucky, Pigeon, Ocoee, Russell Fork, Upper Yough, Chattooga, Tallulah, Nantahala, Rio Grande, and other various rivers. Ray worked, lived, and breathed whitewater and shared his love of guiding with everyone he met. One of his most cherished accomplishments was being recognized with the “Most Requested Raft Guide” award time and time again throughout his whitewater career. He had guests request him each year for many years, especially for the AOTG Deluxe Gauley Overnight trips, which were his favorite.

During whitewater off seasons, Ray held a number of jobs in the food and beverage industry, most often helping start and manage several bars and restaurants in the Asheville, North Carolina area. For the last several years, he spent his off seasons bartending at Charlie’s Pub in Fayetteville, WV. Ray lived life with a “Go Big or Go Home” mindset, could tell stories for days, and was a wealth of information on sports, history, politics, music, and just about any trivia. He loved with his whole heart, genuinely cared about everyone he knew, and never, ever met a stranger. To know Ray was to love him.

Ray is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Aubrey (Greene) Fillpot, fur babies Dexter, Maggie, and Wookie, his mother, Judy Bragg Fillpot, sister, Elise Fillpot (Jay Wetmore), favorite aunt, Patsy Polanksy, and his vast and beloved river family. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond David Fillpot, who he believed was the best man he’d ever known, as well as grandparents, Buster and Amo Fillpot and Mansell and Jerrine Bragg.

A whitewater rafting trip and celebration of Ray’s life will be held in the New River Gorge, West Virginia, at a later date. All who knew and loved Ray are invited to attend and share their favorite memories and Ray Ray-isms.”

Ray, known affectionately as the “Woof Dog,” was a lover of all animals, especially doggies. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local animal shelter/humane society.

Ray would want everyone he loves to live life to the fullest, play hard, and most importantly: “Drive ‘em like you stole ‘em!”

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tyreefuneralhome.com

The family of Mr. Raymond Fillpot is being cared for by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.