Ray B. Waters

November 23, 1923 – December 28, 2014

Ray B. Waters, 91, of Alma Center, WI passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI. He was born in Hixton, WI, to Dana and Myrtle (Lane) Waters on November 23, 1923.

Ray was raised in Alma Center, Wisconsin, graduating from Alma Center High School in 1941. Following high school, Ray moved to California for a short period where he worked at Consolidated Aircraft, building airplanes for the war effort. After a 1½ years in California, he moved back to Wisconsin and joined the United States Air Force. Ray served as a tail gunner, on B17s, flying with the 95th Bomb Group, completing 35 missions over Berlin, Germany.

Once discharged from the Air Force, he married Rosemary Finn in Merrillan, WI, on April 6, 1947, sharing 67 years of marriage.

Ray worked for the Department of Natural Resources as Dispatcher for Fire Control for 28 years. He also drove school bus, had a lumber sawing business and farmed.

Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Alma Center, as a church auditor for many years until 2014. He was a long standing member of the VFW Post 8494 of Alma Center and Merrillan, serving as a Post Commander. Ray was also a member of the 95th Bomb Group Heritage Association, of Horham, England. He attended 95th Bomb Group reunions in various states and England, supporting the restoration of the airbase and commemoration the 95th’s service in World War II.

Ray is survived by his wife, Rosemary; daughter, Mary (significant other, Richard Hofstrand) of Geneva, IL; and sons, John (Vickie) Waters, of Greenwood, WI, Dan (Gina) Waters of Osseo, WI, and Ned (Anna) Waters of Orlando, FL. Ray has 7 grandchildren, Sara (Jake Olson) of Rhinelander, WI, Erin (significant other, Dustin Kuchera) of Rochester, MN, Nathan of Superior, Sam and Ellie of Osseo, Amanda and Brianna of Orlando, and a great granddaughter, Evelyn Mae, of Rhinelander. He is also survived by his brothers-in-laws, George Finn, Ojai, CA and Peter King, Merrillan, as well as other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Dana and Myrtle Waters; sister-in-law, Dorothy King; and nephew, Casey Doherty.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015, 11:00 a.m., at United Methodist Church, Alma Center, WI. The Reverend Meg Erickson will be officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in East Lawn Cemetery, Alma Center.

Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday, January 2, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available www.jensenmodjeskifuneralhome.com.