Ray Howard McNeill (Seymour)'s Obituary
Ray Howard McNeill, of Diggins, Missouri, passed way Tuesday, February 4, 2014, in Springfield Mercy Hospital at the age of 82 years, 7 months and 19 days. The son of Delbert and Avis Opal (Rains) McNeill, Ray was born on June 16, 1931, in Elmore City, Oklahoma.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sandra, who passed away December 6, 2013; and a nephew. Ray is survived by his children; son, Ronnie McNeill, of Moore, Oklahoma; daughter, Kay Banks and husband Mark, of Mustang, Oklahoma; daughter, Laura Leforce and husband Louis, of Mustang, Oklahoma; daughter, Julie (Hanson) Edwards and husband Lloyd, of Coldwater, Mississippi; son, Austin Hanson and wife Cassidy, of West Plains, Missouri; son, Russell Hanson and wife Margaret, of St. Charles, Missouri; son, Jesse Hanson and wife Shawanna, of Diggins, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry McNeill and wife Patricia, of Moore, Oklahoma; brother, Joe McNeill and wife Ilene, of Dell City, Oklahoma; and sister, Linda Ecton and husband Bobby, of Madill, Oklahoma; and many more extended family and dear friends. Ray was raised and lived in Oklahoma until 1981, when he moved to Memphis. He lived in Tennessee for many years, retiring from Tinker Air Force Base as a machinist building jet engines at the age of 55. He and his wife, Sandra, then moved to Coldwater, Mississippi, where they would live until relocating to Diggins, Missouri, in 2013, to be with family. Ray and Sandra had been together since 1974. They married January 9, 1985, and spent 39 very happy years together. He was a Korean War Veteran, proudly serving his country in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954. He would earn the Korean Service Medal, W 2 Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Ray’s passion was men’s league fast-pitch softball. He was very talented and played the position of pitcher for the Ramada Inn in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, until the age of 60, often being called to “throw a game” for several years after. He and Sandra loved camping, fishing and the outdoors. The truly enjoyed traveling the southern states together, usually for softball tournaments. Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. We celebrate the life of Ray McNeill and his accomplishments. We will treasure each moment spent with him and every precious memory he created for those who knew and loved him.
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