Raymond "Ray" Burton, son of George and Stella Burton, was born August 20, 1933 in
Hebron
,
Nebraska
. He passed from this life following a short illness on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at Long Term Care in
Belleville
,
Kansas
at the age of 76. He attended Excelsior and
Belleville
schools until he joined the United States Navy in 1951. During the Korean War, Ray served as a gunner's mate 3rd class on the U.S.S. Higbee from 1951-1955. Following his service, he returned to
Belleville
and began working at Derowitsch Plumbing & Construction. On June 10, 1956, Ray was united in marriage to Delores "Dee" Freed and to this union of over 53 years, two daughters, Connie and Cheri were born. Ray was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Bobby Ray. He will be greatly missed, but forever remembered by his wife Dee of the home; daughters Connie Levendofsky (Fred) of rural Republic, KS and Cheri Williams (Fred) of Chino, California; grandchildren Nicholas and Kristen Levendofsky and Brett and Breagan Williams; and great-grandchild Amari Williams; "Calvin" his beloved canine companion; and a community of family and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00pm Monday, January 11, 2010 at
Courtland
United
Methodist
Church
in
Courtland
,
Kansas
with Mr. Randy Paugh officiating. Burial will be in the
Mt.
Pleasant
Cemetery
of rural Courtland.
