Ray Robert Wilhelm

Ray Robert Wilhelm, 77, of Elgin, died Sept. 5 at his home.

A casual dress graveside service began at 1 p.m. today at Hillcrest East Cemetery in La Grande. A potluck followed at the Elgin Stampede Hall. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Ray was born Nov. 17, 1931, to Clarence and Bernice (Marsden) Wilhelm on a farm in Mitchell, S.D. He lived there until 1934, at which time he and his family moved to

La Grande. Ray graduated from La Grande High School in 1949 and joined the National Guard in 1950. He was a member for 12 years. Just out of high school he spent summers working for the State Forestry Department, and during the winter months he worked at the Western Stud Mill.

On June 2, 1951, he married Carol Sue Strong and worked for the Elgin Guard Station. They bought Ray's Texaco Station in 1958. He began working at the Coca Cola Bottling Co. and was there for the next 30 years. He drove delivery truck mostly in the Wallowa County area. He made many friends during his time there and retired in 1991.

After his retirement, he began his own woodworking business, Knotty Beds and Rustic Furniture, creating beautiful pieces of furniture out of Alpine Burl wood. Ray was a member of the Wallowa Mountain Appaloosa Horse Club and was president for four terms. Throughout his life he was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He had a love for horses and spent many hunting seasons riding horseback in the Eagle Caps (Green Lake being his favorite) and in the Idaho mountains out of Yellow Pine.

Those who knew Ray say he was a strong man inside and out and he worked hard every day of his life. He had a "no quit" attitude. He held a great love for his family and would surprise them with a knock on the door, coffee cup in hand and good conversation. If you were looking for him in the early morning hours, you could find him drinking coffee with the "ol' timers."

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Carol Wilhelm of Elgin; children, Randy Wilhelm, Becky Roberson and Terri Wilhelm, all of Elgin; twin brother, Roy Wilhelm; sisters, Betty Farris and Shirley Flatebo; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and younger brother, Robert D. Wilhelm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Lukes Health Foundation, 190 E. Bannock, Boise, Idaho 83712. Write "Memorial to Ray Wilhelm" on the memo line.

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