Ray Howerton (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Ray L. Howerton was born August 21, 1938 in Long Lane, Missouri to Ira “Doc” Howerton and Edith Anglen Howerton. He passed away Monday, March 27, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa. At the time of his passing, Ray was eighty-four years, seven months and six days.
Ray was raised in the Long Lane and Conway, Missouri area and graduated from Conway High School. He professed his faith in God at a young age at Harmony Baptist Church in Long Lane. After graduation, he moved to Kansas City and worked for Bendix Corporation for thirteen years. He then went to Davenport, Iowa where he worked for the John Deere Corporation. He was a hardworking man and took on extra jobs to help with his children’s school expenses.
On February 13, 1970, he married his loving wife, Billimae. Together they shared over 53 years together of love, laughter, and the trials of life, while raising their blended family of seven children.
He served as a Scoutmaster for Troop #74 from 1970-1976.
Ray and his brothers also built trike motorcycles and along with their wives, would ride their trikes in area parades in Iowa. They also loved camping and would frequently take the trikes with them on camping trips. He loved his family so much and enjoyed these special activities he had with them.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kenneth Dunaway; three brothers, Vernon, Jessie, and Veldon Howerton; three sisters, Ruth Runyon, Lorraine and Shirley Russell; and two granddaughters, Kimberly Rieck and Renee Potts.
He is survived by his wife, Billimae, of the home; his son, Randy Dunaway and his wife, Janis of Florida; five daughters, Elaine Phalp and her husband, Randy of Lenexa, Kansas, Teresa Hoffman, Tina Hester and her husband David, all of Raytown, Missouri, Peggy Dunaway of Lakeland, Florida and Dee Dunaway of Stockton, Iowa; two brothers, Wayne Howerton of Independence, Missouri and Gary Howerton of Lebanon, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren.
Ray was an all-around handyman and could fix anything. He was respected by all his neighbors as he helped them repair anything and everything that needed fixed in their homes.
He was a trusted friend and family man and loved the time he could spend with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be tremendously missed by all those who knew and loved him.
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