(WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ala.) Dec. 21 -- A steady stream of Ray Wheat's family, friends, and long-time customers paid their respects to the owner of Wagerville's, Harris Grocery. Investigators say 2 men shot and killed the store owner during an armed robbery attempt.
Wheat's brother, Gene, explained why Ray was beloved by just about everyone in this community.
"If they needed to extend their line of credit he would do that," emphasized Gene Wheat. "He would give some of them loans and sometimes he wouldn't even get it back. They'd come back, and he would give them a loan again."
They allowed our cameras inside Lathan Funeral Home for just a moment, so we could see all the people Ray Wheat touched in life; hundreds and hundreds of men and women who now touched his family, comforting them during their time of need.
"It's not to say as kids we didn't have our bad times and good times, but even growing up he's always been the best he could to everybody," said Wheat.
Wheat's family members say the tragedy in this is that Wheat vowed he would never have a weapon inside his store. They say he couldn't bear the thought of hurting anyone.
Investigators say Juan Crayton and Corey Wimbley didn't share his view. They say these men murdered Wheat, then tried to burn his body and his store.
"Get these persons off the street," cried Wheat. "What they did was premeditated and we don't need anybody else getting hurt."
Tonight those men are behind bars, but it's little comfort to friends and family who say their final goodbyes.
Ray Wheat's funeral is tomorrow morning, 11 o'clock, at Lathan Funeral Home in Jackson, Alabama.
