Raymond Willey

brbrRaymond S. Willey passed away on December 29, 2009 at the age of 88. He was born into a large German-Scotch family in 1921, and is survived by two siblings-his identical twin, Richard Willey of Albuquerque, and a sister, Essie Pepicello of Erie, PA. He also leaves behind his best friend, Anne Allensworth, his daughter, Kenda Willey, and his grandson, Keenan Horn all of Roswell.brbrRay was an amateur radio operator for most of his life; age forced him to become a more passive participant in the Roswell ham radio club, but he remained a paid up member until the end of his life. He was also a hunter, a hiker, a camper and a rock collector, and passed his love for the outdoors on to his daughter and grandson. He was a 50-year Mason, a Shriner and a Scottish rite member. Ray joined the Army as a young man and made a career of it: He fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War and was decorated several times, including the Meritorious Service Medal.brbrRay was married for over 50 years to Veralee Bowling Willey, who predeceased him in 2003. Both Ray and Veralee came to Roswell in the early 1970s, after Ray retired from the Army. They chose Roswell for its weather and its friendly people, and they stayed for the rest of their lives. Ray spent his last few years living at the Sunny Acres Senior Complex until he moved to Martins Casa Siesta two weeks before his death. Ray was an enthusiastic member of the Sunny Acres Community and will be missed by his many friends there. In Rays name, his daughter thanks Sunny Acres for the good times he had there, and also thanks Comfort Keepers and Vista Hospice Care for their care of him during his illness, and Martin Flores for his devoted care for him during the last couple of weeks of his life.brbrA memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the Ballard Funeral Home Chapel. brbrArrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com br

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