Ray W. West's Obituary
Ray West, age 83 of Centerville, Iowa died Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville.
Ray William West was born in Moulton, Iowa on February 20, 1925 and grew up in the area. He was the son of Edgar O. (Junior) and Opal M. McDonald West, he had one older brother, Mack and one younger brother, Ted. Ray graduated from Washington High School in Washington, Iowa in 1942, then spent the summer in Chicago working as a Bell Hop and a Bell Captain at a movie theater. He returned to Iowa hoping to become a Navy Pilot but was unable to join the service due to a health problem. To fulfill his desire to help the war efforts, He worked in the mailroom of the Hawkeye Gazette in Burlington, Iowa until the end of the War. At the time, the newspaper was considered to be a ""War Critical Industry"". During this time, he met and married Maxine Vermillion and they later had two children, Russell Ray and Lola Louise. After the War, Ray was employed by the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington then later for McKesson-Robbins in Burlington from which he retired in 1983. He returned to Centerville and lived there until his passing.
Ray enjoyed telling jokes and was an avid reader. He especially enjoyed books about UFO's, science fiction and politics. Ray enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and in the last few years spent much time driving friends around Southern Iowa and Northern Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine in 1962, his son Russ, his parents, and his brother Ted. He is survived by his brother, Mack, of Deltona, Florida, his daughter and son-in-law, Lola and Phillip Holcomb of Oskaloosa, grandchildren Scott Higgins and Family of Barnes City, Ryan Higgins and family of Oskaloosa, Brandy Wallace and Family of Omaha, Nebraska and Summer Holcomb of Oskaloosa. He is also survived by several great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, May 30, 2008 at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home with Pastor Fred Smith officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date. A visitation will be Friday at the funeral home with family present from 10-11 AM. A memorial has been established to the 18-80 Club and may be left at or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
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