Raymond Allen Willems

Raymond Allen Willems, 92, of Inman, KS, passed away at 6:15 pm, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Pleasant View Home, Inman Kansas. Ray was born in Hillsboro, Kansas on January 12, 1932, a son of Henry K. and Agnes E. (Linden) Willems. He attended Canada grade school, Canada, Kansas, and then entered Hillsboro High School until his Junior year. Ray served during the Korean War from 5-2-51 to 4-29-55 as a MM2 with the U.S. Navy and from 8-23-55 to 9-6-58 as a Sgt. with the U.S. Army. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post #2715 and the American Legion Post #24. Ray was a truck driver, his journey began with Farmland. After 30 years and logging more than one million safe driving miles he retired. He then began a new journey with Unruh Fab … which lasted until they retired him at age 72. Raymond A. Willems was united in marriage to Dolores M. Erker on April 7, 1956, at Wichita, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Wichita, Kansas. Ray loved traveling or driving just about anywhere which included Sunday drives and vacations with the family. He enjoyed coffee with the guys at Wendy’s and Braums, going to casinos, fish trapping, talking about cars, and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his children, Roxane Gill (Jeff) of Salina, KS, Rhonda King of McPherson, KS, Renee Foster (Ronald) of Hutchinson, KS, Rex Willems (Lorenda) of Wildomar, CA, and Raissa Andersen of McPherson, KS; daughter in law, Cheryl Willems of McPherson, KS; brother, Richard Willems (Geraldine) of Wichita, KS and sister, Virginia Weyand (LaVern) of McPherson, KS; 14 grandchildren, Tyler Gill, Trevor Gill, Alan King (Chrissy), Darryl King (Catherine), Michelle King, Robyn Gore (Scott), Ryan Foster, Rochelle Foster, Carissa Chaltas (Cole), Cody Willems (Francesca), Kelsey Johnson (Jacob), Travis Andersen (Noelle), Nichole Andersen, and Karri Andersen; 11 great-grandchildren, Jocelyn Bryan, James Bryan, Beatrice King, Zoey Virus, Jaxon Foster, Theo Chaltas, Amelia Chaltas, Nash Johnson, Koehn Johnson, Rosemary Andersen, and Eleanora Andersen. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dolores; son, Randall; brother, Albert and sister, Doris. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Glidden-Ediger-Wiggins Chapel in McPherson, KS. Burial will be at McPherson Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 24 and VFW Post 2715 of McPherson, KS with Mark Casebeer playing TAPS. Memorials may be given to the VFW and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger-Wiggins Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, KS 67460.

Raymond Allen Willems

January 12, 1932 - September 18, 2024