Raymond (Ray) was born in Hebron, IL to Raymond Sr. and Gladys Porter. He grew up with one sister and one brother on the family farm, learning about long days of hard work, tools, animals and gardening. He graduated in 1948 from a one room schoolhouse and then followed his dream to join the Navy. He spent 3 years as a radio operator, and 3 years testing different areas of the Navy, until he decided to join the Seabees in 1956. For the next 28 years he worked with the Construction Battalion (Seabees) in the US Navy. He repaired war beaten churches and buildings, built schools and playgrounds, and put up and took down many bunkers, among so many other things. He retired in 1984 as BUC Raymond, Chief Builder. BUC Raymond still attended meetings, went to celebrations and funerals and held his love of the Navy, especially the Seabees deep in his heart until the very end. He was so proud of his service.

Ray was a skilled contractor, a talented artist, a master gardener, and a passionate woodworker...but he knew his greatest achievement was his family. He did everything right when it came to loving them. He was happily married to his wife Mary Ann for 48 years and prided himself on being a kind and dependable husband, father and grandfather. He taught his kids about responsibility, honesty and loyalty, and expected nothing more than for them to model that behavior in the community. He loved them all deeply.  He is survived by his wife, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and so many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, his sister, one niece, one granddaughter and many friends.

A service of military honors will be held at Holy Cross Funeral and Cemetery on November 10th at 2:00pm.

Ray leaves behind a legacy of honesty, integrity, tenacity and love and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends who had the honor of knowing and loving him. He's probably up there watching Gonzaga basketball, eating homemade oyster stew, drinking a glass of red wine...and so happy to not have any pills to take.

My gosh, we miss him so much.