Raymond Milton Walson, 80
Raymond "Ray" Walson, 80, passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, March 14, 2005, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel with Charley Packard officiating. Burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Friends may call to pay their respects on Monday, March 14, 2005, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel.
Ray was born in Whitewood, S.D., on Dec. 7, 1924, the son of Chester and Clarabelle (Heigis) Walson.
He moved with the family to Lust, Wyo., and onto Dover, Idaho, at the age of 10. He attended schools in Dover and the Farmin School in Sandpoint. He quit school at the age of 16 to work for McFarland Pole Company hauling poles. He purchased his own truck and hauled poles for one year.
At 17, he entered the U.S. Marines Corps, selling his truck back to McFarland Pole Company.
Ray was stationed on the island of Iwo Jima and was wounded in battle during the first assault of the island in February 1945. He was transferred back to the United States, arriving at Farragut Naval Base in Bayview, Idaho for recuperation and was the only Marine on the naval base.
He married Nadine Anderson on July 29, 1945, walking down the aisle on crutches. They moved to Sandpoint, and Ray resumed his logging career, purchasing his original truck back from McFarland Pole Company. He owned three logging trucks with his three sons.
He was a licensed pilot and flew his small airplane around the Priest River area, owned and operated a gasoline station in Sandpoint and was building a small helicopter after his certification until his retired in 1993.
Survivors include daughters Karen (Ed) Bangeman, Janice Roberts and Lorraine (Marty) Johnson; sons Edward Walson, Brian Walson and Bruce Walson; a sister, Vivian (Wes) Olson; brothers: L.C. "Bud" Walson and Darrell Walson; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Nadine and sister, Hazel.
Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.