Richard R. 'Ray' Willette Obituary (1926

Richard "Ray" Willette, age 81, of 18 Ridgeway, Saranac Lake, died peacefully Tuesday, September 02, 2008 at his home after a long illness.Born in Moores, New York on November 14, 1926, he was the son of Phillip and Della (Gates) Willette. He married Audrey Kroldart on July 6, 1946 in Saranac Lake.Mr. Willette had been employed by the Village of Saranac Lake Water Department for over 27 years until his retirement in 1976. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II from 1946 to 1947. Mr. Willette was a life time member of the Saranac Lake American Legion and a past member of the Saranac Lake Elks Club BPOE 1508. An avid bowler, he belonged to various leagues including the Friday night Elks and the Sunday mixed and also participated in the Belevedere pool league. Mr. Willette was a life-long outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He had also worked as the pyro-technician for the Village fireworks display during community events such as Winter Carnival and 4th of July and constructed one of the first village floats for the king and queen of winter carnival.He is survived by his wife Audrey, five children Richard Willette and his wife Janice of Cat Spring, TX, Sharon Bowman and her husband Charles of Peru, NY, Rodger Willette and his wife Patricia of Bloomingdale, NY, Robert Willette of Vermontville, NY, and Linda Willette of Plattsburgh, NY, 11 Grandchildren, 6 Great Grandchildren, three sisters Lillian Premo of Montevallo, AL, Marceline Fanning of Saranac Lake, NY, and Antoinette Willette of Saranac Lake, NY, one brother Gabriel "Bucky" Willette and his wife Connie of Saranac Lake, NY, three sisters-in-law Shirley Willette of Saranac Lake, NY, Rowena Kroldart of Batavia, NY, and Ruth Kroldart of Orchard Park, NY and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and 8 brothers and sisters.Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday September 6, 2008 at St. Bernard's Church, with Rev. Thomas Kronmeyer officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery.Friends wishing to remember Richard "Ray" Willette may make memorial contributions to High Peaks Hospice in care of the funeral home. Friends may also send online condolences to the family at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com