Floyd Benjamin Ray

Floyd Benjamin Ray, 89, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 25, 2011 at Maranatha Village following a brief illness. Floyd was born April 15, 1922 in Timber, Missouri, to Jacob Henry Robert Ray and Sarah Belle (Huskey) Ray. On February 2, 1941, a justice of the peace united Floyd and Lillian Lorene Grizzle in marriage in Eminence, Missouri. Though Floyd had no formal engineering education, he built bridges, culverts, and headwalls after asking God to give him precise construction plans. He retired as a superintendent and belonged to the Carpenters District of Kansas City Local #978 in Springfield. Floyd loved remodeling old homes. He and his three sonsCarl, Bob, and Jerryall worked to build the Benton Street Bridge in Springfield. His father-in-law, Frank Grizzle and his four sonsworked on the original bridge. Floyd was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God for 40 years, and at the time of his death attended Northside Assembly, where he had been a member more than 28 years. He taught himself to read by reading the Bible. He knew it well, and was never afraid to share the good news. Floyd and his wife taught their children the virtues of hard work, as well as leaving them a strong Christian heritage. Floyds wish for his family and friends is that he will see them all in heaven one day. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. If Floyd could have done anything different in his life, it would be to spend more time traveling with his wife before she passed away. Floyds favorite hobby was remodeling old homes. He made the old barracks at Evangel University into two different homes. One of them served as a starter home for Floyds daughter, Shirley, her husband and children. The second is still owned by Floyds daughter, Sharon. Another hobby of Floyds was raking hay with his son, Carl. Even at age 85, he still enjoyed this hobby. Floyd also enjoyed riding on four-wheelers at his farm with his son, Jerry. Floyd would want to be remembered for being godly and trustworthy, and for loving his family and his Lord. Preceding Floyd in death were his parents, Jake and Sarah Ray; his wife, Lillian Lorene Ray; and his sons, Leon (infant) and Bob Ray. Floyd is survived by his children: Carl Ray and wife Dorothy of Ozark, Missouri; Sharon Rasnake and husband Burt of Springfield, Missouri; Jerry Ray and wife Jennifer of Springfield, Missouri; Shirley Franklin and husband Brett of Rogersville, Missouri. Also surviving him are 12 grandchildren: Kara and Jeff Freeman of Ozark, Missouri; Karla and Keith Schmuesser of Branson, Missouri; Kayla and Greg Lane of Nixa, Missouri; Karl and Lori Ray of Highlandville, Missouri; Doug and Lindsey Ray of Springfield, Missouri; John and Kim Washam of Indianapolis, Indiana; Jerry and Jenny Washam of Maryland Heights, Missouri; Tiffany and Chaniver Tolliver of Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Tarrah and Caleb Moreno of Springfield, Missouri; Tyler Ray of Springfield, Missouri; Chris and Alesha Franklin of Springfield, Missouri; Heather and Michael Daugherty of Springfield, Missouri. Floyd is also survived by 19 great grandchildren: Brandon and Alicia Freeman, Brian Freeman, Keifer Schmuesser, Dalton Lane, Joshua Ray, Kennasyn Ray, Griffin Ray, Piersyn Ray, Gavin Washam, Savannah Washam, Kaylee Shelley, Ashtyn Shelley, Jaclyn Moreno, Amari Tolliver, Aja Tolliver, Isabella Franklin, Riley Franklin, Blake Daugherty, and Lilly Daugherty. One great, great granddaughter also survived: Chloe Freeman. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, April 28, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Northside Assembly of God church. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2011, at Northside Assembly of God church in Springfield, Missouri. Reverends Alvin Blackard and Darrell Mead will be officiating under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. A congregational song Uncloudy Day will be led by Carl Ray, with Brett Franklin accompanying on piano. A video tribute will be shown with the song When I Traveled My Last Mile. Burial will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield. Pallbearers will be Carl Ray, Jerry Ray, Karl Ray, Doug Ray, John Washam, Tyler Ray, Chris Franklin, and Brandon Freeman. Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Washam, Michael Daugherty, Keifer Schmuesser, Dalton Lane, Joshua Ray, Griffin Ray, Gavin Washam, Blake Daugherty, and Riley Franklin. In lieu of flowers, please make tax deductible donations to Floyd's favorite missions project. Please make checks payable to Northside Assembly of God, where donations will go to Assemblies of God Bible College in Jamaica West Indies. Checks maybe mailed to the church at 2310 North Campbell Avenue, Springfield, Missouri, 65803. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com. PDF Printable Version

Floyd Benjamin Ray

April 15, 1922 - April 25, 2011