Willis Ray Gallop

Mr. Willis Ray Gallop, age 69, of Alachua, Florida, passed away on February 1,  2022. Ray was born on January 24, 1953, in Gainesville, FL to Raymond F. and Loiselle (Dowling) Gallop. He grew up in Alachua and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1971.  Ray was the first Santa Fe graduate to be drafted in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. The LA Dodgers drafted him, but he decided to play baseball at Central Florida Community College. After earning his Associates of Arts degree, Ray moved back home and married his high school sweetheart, Cindy Westmoreland. The couple soon moved to High Springs where they lived for 30 years before moving back to Alachua (Hasan). Ray worked for Sandvik Mining for 41 years before he retired in 2015. He had a strong work ethic that began at age 8 when he worked on Earl and Maggie Hill’s family farm. He was always active, he loved golfing, competing in the National Senior Games, coaching youth rec sports, attending sporting events, and traveling, especially to Franklin, NC. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of High Springs. Ray is preceded in death by his parents.

Ray is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cindy Gallop of Alachua; children, Brooke (Randall “Dink”) Hudson and Weston (Julie) Gallop all of Alachua; grandchildren, Brayden Pedersen, Grace, Eli, and Kate Gallop, and Rhett Hudson; sister, Diane Gallop-Munn of Steinhatchee, brother-in-law, Bill (Loretta) Westmoreland of Fort White, and numerous extended family.

A celebration of life honoring Ray will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022, at First Baptist Church of High Springs.  The family will receive friends and family for a visitation at 10:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00 am.  His interment will follow at the High Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008. www.ArcherFuneralHome.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to First Christian Academy in High Springs, FL (386-454-1641) memo: RG Golf Fund.