Back to Hall of FameRay Shackelford was born in Stafford County, Virginia in 1949. He graduated from Stafford High School in 1968 and took a keen interest in the sport of bowling while serving in the U. S. Army in 1970.
Ray began bowling in our association in 1974, the same year he became a member of the Professional Bowlers Association. He had a high average of 201 that year and quickly established himself as one of the NCABA's top bowlers. In his 10 years as a member of the NCABA, Ray has averaged over 200 in nine of the 23 leagues in which he participated. He has a composite average of 198.73 in that 10-year period, with a high average of 213 in 1981-82. Ray has been a regular in the NCABA Top 10. In 1980, he had the high average of 211 in the Virginia State Bowling Association (VSBA), earning a VSBA All-Star Award.
Ray has bowled on the PBA Tour at least once each year since 1974. His accomplishments on the Tour in 1983 earned him an exemption the following year. Ray appeared on three television finals in 1983, with his best finish a second in Houston, Texas. In 1982, he tied a PBA record by becoming the fifth bowler to bowl three perfect games in one tournament. Ray has bowled nine perfect games and three 800 series, with a high of 844. Four of his perfect games were bowled in our association. He has also won the Pennsylvania Dutch Tournament and The Charlie Jackson Tournament in Baltimore.
Ray still lives in Stafford County and has been married for 14 years to his high school sweetheart, the former Sue Monroe. They have one son, Shannon, age 12.
Ray is truly one of our association's most outstanding bowlers.