Longtime Fairfield businessman Charles Ray passed away at 2:22 AM, on Monday, February 17, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. Charles had been employed at Airtex Products for over 20 years, was a former bus driver at Merriam Grade School, owned and operated Rays Consumer Products, Rays Mowing and Backhoe Service, and Rays Rental Property with his wife Betty and son John. He was born on December 14, 1938 in McLeansboro, IL to Wesley and Hazel (Brown) Ray, and married Betty DeWitt on June 1, 1957.
Charles is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty Ray of Fairfield, daughters Trena (Bruce) Longbons of Albion and Rita Jean (Doug) Thompson of Fairfield, son John Ray (Rhonda Smothers) of Fairfield, 6 grandchildren: Cecilia Michels, Judd Longbons, Dakota, Rose, Ella, and Ethan Thompson, 2 great grandsons Sawyer and Silas Longbons, special niece Rita Mae Goff, special nephews David and Wesley Ray, special foster girls: Becky Wilson and Liz Unsell, special foster boys: Deneen Partian, Gary Robertson, and Joe Randle, a sister Lola Bruce of Bluford, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John Ray, and foster daughter Donna Blessing.
Funeral services for Charles Ray will be held at 1 PM, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3-7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials in his honor may be made to Holiness Rescue Mission and will be accepted at the funeral home.