Sherman Lee Ray of Steelville, MO was born on Sunday, December 25, 1921 in Leasburg, MO to William W. Ray and Anna A. (Payne) Ray. He passed away at Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, MO on Monday, February 16, 2009 at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 22 days.
Sherman served his country honorably in the Army Air Corps. He married Geraldine Alice Wretling on March 27, 1949 in Granite City, IL and to this union four children were born. Sherman retired from the Madison County Highway Dept. in Edwardsville, IL as a maintenance man. He attended Huzzah Baptist Church and recently accepted the Lord as his Savior.
His hobbies were farming, raising cows, hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and liked eating chocolate candy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Bonnie Ray; infant grandson, Christopher Ray; brothers, Clark (Glenda) Ray, James Ray, Junior Ted Ray and Raymond Ray; sisters, Lucy Ray, Faye (Ben) West, Edna (Bob) Forrest, and Charlesetta (Les) Petty; brothers-in-law, Fred West and Mike Ray.
He is survived by his wife of the home; children, Dennis (Sharon) Ray of Clovis, NM, Annette (Keith) Milton of Worden, IL and Susan (Neil) Sperandio of Pocahontas, IL; sisters, Bernadine West of Sullivan, MO, Patsy VanHoose of Kirksville, MO, Hazel (Bob) Coffman of Topeka, KS and Maryann (Bob) Binsbacher of Chandler, AZ; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews; cousins and friends.
Visitation was on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.
Funeral services for Sherman Ray were held on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO, with Rev. Leonard Moreland officiating. Burial was in Crossroads Baptist Cemetery, Leasburg, MO.
Memorials may be given to Huzzah Baptist Church.
All arrangements were under the direction of the  Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.