February 25, 1918 - December 29, 2014
Schenectady (Schenectady County): Ray Leslie Whiting left his mortal body and went Home to be with The Lord on December 29, 2014.
Ray was born February 25, 1918 in the hamlet of Oak Ridge, Town of Charleston, Montgomery County to Myron and Jennie (Montanye) Whiting, being their fourth child.
Although growing up on the family farm, a farmer’s life was not for Ray. He left school at 16 and took a job as waxing machine operator in a local town, living in a boarding house across from the factory. In 1937, and with his parents’ permission, Ray joined the Army Reserves for three years, until 1940. Ray Whiting and Dorothy Hayes were united in marriage on January 25, 1942. On February 7, 1942, Ray again joined the Army to help defend our Country. Ray attained the rank of Sergeant with the 809th, Aviation Engineers attached to the 15th Air Force, and was in the Tunisian, Sicilian, Naples, Foggia, Rome and Arno Campaigns. He was honorably discharged August 27, 1945 with a Good Conduct Medal, European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater Ribbons with four Bronze Battle Stars, Five Overseas Service Bars and two Service Stripes. In 1980, Ray retired from the Times Union, Albany with 27 years of service.
Ray had a love for life and loved to travel and made many trips across the United States with his wife and children, visiting relatives, making new acquaintances and seeing our Nation’s many natural wonders. A lifelong friendship was made in New Mexico when the camper trailer broke down in the desert and Ray and his family were rescued by the Cheschilly family of Naschiti Trading Post.
Ray loved history, especially the War Between the States, and visited every significant battle field up and down the East coast. Ray loved planes, and gardening and canning peaches from his own peach trees. But most of all, Ray loved to travel.
At the age of 90, and to the horror of his family, Ray got on a Greyhound and took the bus across the United States, one more time. He stopped at various points of interest, including a journey to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. Continuing on, Ray ended his trip in California, visiting two of his daughters for a short time before returning home.
Ray was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, of 68 years. Also, a brother, Jacob Whiting, and sister, Ruth (Whiting) Whitbeck and Reba (Whiting) Montanye.
Ray leaves behind three daughters, Lorraine Whiting, Charleston, NY, Lisabeth Whiting, Irvine, CA and Livia Morse (Mrs. Timothy), of Irvine, CA, one grandson Timothy Morse, Jr., one granddaughter Lisa Albertin (Mrs. Shawn), two great-granddaughters, Emalee Albertin and Charlotte Albertin, nephew Peter Whitbeck and wife Murline, grandnephew Scot Whitbeck and wife Nadia, many other grand nieces and nephews, and his beloved cats Blue and Tom.
Honoring Ray’s last withes, there will be no services held. Burial will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ray to Ayers Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166.
Memorial donations can be made to:
Ayers Animcal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166
