Stanley William

Stanley W. "Tim" Ray, age 81, of Willmar, died Tuesday, July 3, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar following a short illness.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the First Presbyterian Church in Willmar. Interment will be in the Cloverleaf Cemetery in Willmar. Military Honors will be provided by Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.
Stanley W. "Tim" Ray was born September 13, 1925 in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Albert W. and Annabelle (Davis) Ray. At the age of four, his family moved to the rural Kandiyohi community, where he grew up. He attended Willmar High School. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during World War II until his discharge in 1945. On November 3, 1951, he married Liala Bengtson in Willmar. He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad as a fireman and engineer until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Burlington Northern Veterans Association. He was also a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. He was active in town team baseball and played for the Willmar Rails for many years. He was also active with the Crime Stoppers. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Liala of Willmar; three daughters, Donna (and Mike) Coleman of Little Canada, Diane (and Calvin) Monson of Willmar and Deb Willis (and special friend, Dave Opsahl) of Willmar and three grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, William Ray of Blaine and James Ray (and Debra Stenseth) of Minneapolis and a sister, Maxine (and Charles) Reamer of Maplewood, besides other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Henry.