Raymond LeRoy ‘Red Bone’ Ray, 75, of Centralia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at his home with his wife by his side.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Hillcrest Lakeside Mausoleum in Centralia with Pastor Steve Upchurch officiating. A visitation will be held Monday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Hillcrest Lakeside Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Centralia Humane Society or Six Lemons and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Ray Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com
Red Bone was born October 5, 1947, in Salem, the son of Raymond Lewis Ray and Mabel (Freisner) Ray. He married Docia ‘Dody’ Deadmond on September 1, 1967, in Salem and she survives.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is also survived by his three daughters: Chantal Ray Nation and husband Kurt of Dallas, Texas, April McCrary and husband Brad of Leawood, Kansas, and Heidi Heser and husband Casey of Troy, Illinois; six grandchildren: Baylor, Avery, Brody, Ainsley McCrary, and Colton and Teegan Heser; a sister: Janet Holland and husband Harvey of Shattuc; brother-in-law: Tom Betti and wife Lori of New Mexico; three nieces: Shelley Koelmel and husband Rodney of Shattuc, Tabitha Jentsch and husband George of Irvington, and Allie Gregory and husband Austin of Centralia; nephew: Michael English and wife Stacy; several great nieces and nephews and his longtime Navy friend: Tuna Hentges of Jefferson City, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents: sister: Beverly Tolley, father, and mother-in-law: Ralph and Lucy Metzger, and brother-in-law: Marty Metzger.
Red Bone served in the U.S. Navy. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 26 years of employment. He was a member of the Centralia Enduro Team and the Ambassadors Fishing Club.
Red Bone and his Hot Rod crew could often be found at his shop discussing politics and religion along with watching NASCAR, Judge Judy, and The Price is Right.
Red Bone cherished the time he spent with his family, friends, Breakfast Buddies, and Hot Rod Crew. There wasn’t anything Red Bone couldn’t do and he will be remembered for his classic car restoration skills, award-winning Chili, and outstanding ability to catch record-breaking Bass and Crappie.
