George Harrison Ray

George Harrison Ray, 88, of Butler passed away at 8:39 p.m. Tuesday at his home.

He was born on Feb. 21, 1926, in Nichola, Armstrong County, to the late James Ray and Mary Lamison Ray.

George was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, serving in Okinawa during World War II and receiving the Purple Heart.

He was a laborer and inspector at Magnetics for 31 years, retiring in 1985.

George was a member of the North Main Street Church of God and the D.A.V. He was a life-member of the VFW, a past commander of Chicora VFW Post 7876 and a past Butler County chaplain for the VFW.

George enjoyed hunting and fishing.

George is survived by his two sons, Kevin Ray and his wife, Cheryl, and Rodney Ray and his wife, Tracey, all of Butler; his two daughters, Patty Thompson and her husband, Tom, of Butler and Kathy Puskarich and her husband, Matthew, of Saxonburg; his seven grandchildren, Travis Burtner, Todd Burtner, Tiffany Wilson, Tyler Ray, Kelsey Ray, Jacob Ray and Danielle Hite; his three brothers, Richard Ray and his wife, Marleen, of Indiana, Perry Ray and his wife, Violet, of Butler and Donald Ray and his wife, Nancy, of Poland, Ohio; his two sisters, Martha Ellenberger of Grove City and Shirley Hardies of Serverna Park, Md.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Maxine Whitmire Ray, who he married on Aug. 8, 1951, and who passed away on July 14, 2010; his daughter, Pamela M. Ray; his granddaughter, Dacia M. Ray; his three sisters, Sarah Ellenberger, Elsie Couch and Jean Maley; and his four brothers, James Herbert Ray, Wilbert Ray, Bill Ray and Adam Ray.

Ray — The friends of George Harrison Ray, who passed away Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor David West of the Graceway Community Church officiating. Burial will take place in the Butler County Memorial Park.Officers and members of the American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora and the VFW Post 249 will conduct military honors at Butler County Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project Pittsburgh, 301 Grand St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.