July 17, 1927 – January 19, 2015

With his family by his side, Ray Wise, 87, passed from this earthly existence to be with his Lord and Savior. He left us with many wonderful memories and a love that will sustain us our whole lives.

Ray was born in Amarillo, Texas. He grew up on the family farm near Happy, Texas, where he learned to work hard, grow amazing gardens, and cook like a chef. Ray enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and was trained to operate a Higgins boat, which was a landing craft for vehicles and personnel. After discharge from the US Navy, Ray returned to the Texas Panhandle where he graduated from West Texas State University with a degree in accounting. After a blind date set up by mutual friends, Ray courted and finally convinced Betty, his loving wife of 63 years, to marry him. Together, Ray and Betty made family and faith their priority. Nurturing the different interests of their three children, Ray and Betty were known to spend weekends going from the baseball field (with son, David) to the concert hall (with daughter, Linda), then finishing up at a horse show (with daughter, Susan).

During his life as a church leader, Ray helped to organize two churches, one in Amarillo and Trinity United Methodist in Picayune, Mississippi. He served as a Ruling Elder and Christian Education Director in the churches he served and used his gifts in management to help the churches to have a firm financial foundation so that the goals for mission and community outreach could be attained.

Ray worked with the same company for over 40 years, retiring as Chief Financial Officer for Mason Chamberlain, Inc. As he was mentored by many wonderful people, Ray also mentored others and showed them how to be a Godly man in a large company. Ray’s company sent the family from Texas to Nebraska, Iowa to Kentucky, and finally Picayune, Mississippi where he retired and helped run the food bank for almost 15 years. After retirement, Ray and Betty moved back to Texas to be with his children and grandchildren in San Antonio.

Ray and Betty encouraged their family to have fun together. They were avid bridge players and active in square dancing clubs for many years. Travel, for Ray, was an opportunity to be with family. Vacations were always spent with extended family in California, Arkansas, and Washington State. Ray and Betty took a very special trip to Spain with their youngest daughter and her family. Ray purchased a time share specifically as a way to get the family to travel together. Trips to Arizona, Washington DC, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico were special gifts he provided to his children and grandchildren. He was planning trips to Alaska and Norway to visit his grandchildren and great grandchild.

Memorial services will be held at San Pedro Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, January 31 at 1 p.m. Ray is survived by his wife, Betty, all three of their children, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, and his brother Uel. Ray’s life was full of family, service to others, laughter, love, and faith. Well done, good and faithful servant!