Virgil C. Ray age 84 of
Spring Green passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at the Maplewood Nursing Facility in Sauk Prairie.  He was born on October 5, 1926 in Richland Center, WI the son of Roland and Florence (Amey) Ray.  Virgil was married on May 22, 1946 to the former Lucille Weidner.  This past May they celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary.  Virgil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He enjoyed hunting, sports, dancing and playing cards.  He particularly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play ball.  He always had a
smile on his face when his great grandchildren were around him.  Virgil was a carpenter for most of his life.  He enjoyed fixing things around  the house and for his children.  During his retirement years, he enjoyed working on lawn mowers and traveling with his  wife.  He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Spring Green. 
Survivors include, his wife Lucille Ray, 5 children, Linda (Earl) Munson  of Madison, David (Becky) Ray of Spring Green, Jean Ray of Madison, Lorraine (Keith) Ochalla of Sun Prairie and Maureen (Jesse) Gilbertson of Spring Green, 8 grandchildren, Tonia Ray, Heidi Hudson, Matt Munson, Sarah Munson, Lance Ray, Craig Gilbertson, Carl Gilbertson and Jason May, 5 great grandchildren, Caden Hudson, Destiny Gilbertson, Addison May, Madison Gilbertson and Kennedy Hudson, a sister, Arlene (Don) Jacob of Beloit and a brother, Roland Ray Jr. of Arkansas, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Florence Ray, a brother, Roscoe Ray, 4 sisters, Wilma Ray, Iva Wilhelm, Kathryn Bixby and Betty Bindl.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Spring Green.  Fr. Mike Resop will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Thursday at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of Mass.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Virgil’s name to the Spring Green Fire/EMS; 327 S. Winsted St., Spring Green, WI 53588.  The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green is assisting the family with the arrangements.

 

What we would give to say “Hello Dad” or “Hello Grandpa” in that same old way – to hear your voice, to see you
smile, just to sit and chat awhile.

OUR DAD

If we could write a story

It would be the greatest told

Of a kind and loving father

Who had a heart of gold!

If we could write a million pages

We would still be unable to say

Just how much we love and miss him

Every single day!

We will remember all he taught us

And we will try to not be sad

Because he wouldn’t want us to dwell on it

And he’ll always be OUR DAD!