A 1978 Red Rider graduate of Weir High School in Weirton, Ray Pernell compiled an outstanding career on the wrestling mat. Under the coaching of Charles "Skip" Murray, Mike Mousadis, and Bob Orlando, Ray completed his career at 43-3. In 1997 and 1978, he earned class AAA WV State Championship Titles, Class AAA Regional Titles and OVAC Wrestling championships at 138 lbs and 145 lbs.

During the 1978 WV State Tournament, no opponent scored any points against Ray. He also recorded the fastest pin in WV State Tournament History in 1978 during the Quarter Finals with a 0:14 second pin.

Ray was selected to attend the 1978 Olympic Training Camp for 1980 and 1984 USA Olympic Team. He took first place at the AAU Freestyle Championship and qualified for the National AAU Tournament in Chicago for Freestyle and Greco Roman. In addition to winning the Pittsburgh, PA Newsboy Classic for the WV All-Stars, Ray traveled to West Germany with the All-Star Team for Freestyle and Greco Roman.

Ray was offered 6 wrestling scholarships. Due to personal reasons, he chose instead to begin his professional occupation with the International Operating Engineers. In 1981, he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie, and in that same year began his 32 years coaching career in wrestling as well as football and baseball. He also volunteered countless hours to the Weirton Pee-Wee football program and the Termite Baseball Association. During his last 3 years as head wrestling coach at Madonna, Ray was instrumental in the development of an elementary school wrestling program where his team volunteered their time after practice to introduce the sport of wrestling to the youth of the community.

During his years as Head Varsity Wrestling Coach, Ray coached the first three time State Champion in Madonna High School history. He coached 4 additional WV State Champions, 63 WV State Qualifiers, 15 Regional Champions, 37 WV State place finishers, 3 OVAC Champions, 4 OVAC Runners-up and 35 OVAC place winners including 22 at Madonna and 13 at Weir High School, In 1986, he led his team to an 11-1 OVAC Dual Meet Championship and in 2016 his team placed 4th overall at the OVAC tournament which was the highest finish in the school's history.

Ray and Debbie still reside in Weirton and are the proud parents of two children, Jamie and Justin. In addition to their grandson, Aaron, they are looking forward to maintaining the title of Grandparents in 2019 with the arrival of 2 grandchildren.