Ray Whittington

Graveside services are scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 13, at Twin Oaks Memorial Park for Ray Travers Whittington of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Whittington, 93, died Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Heartland Nursing Center in Artesia, New Mexico.

Ray was born September 9, 1920 in Havanah, Arkansas the son of Leonard T. Whittington and Sestus Babb Whittington.

In 1934 at the age of 13 he was baptized and joined the Missionary Baptist Church in Roscoe, Texas.

He graduated Roscoe High School in 1940 and attended Gale Business College in Abilene, Texas.

Ray served his country in the Unites States Army Air Corps during WW II. He was a combat glider pilot and served overseas in Africa, Sicily, England, Holland, Belgium, and France. During his service he received an Air Medal and seven Battle Stars.

He started working in the automotive parts industry following his release from the military. He served as the Manager for Pioneer Mercantile Co. in Bakerfield, CA. He was a District Sales Manager for P. Sorenson MFG in Woodside, NY and Glasgow, KY, and the CEO for Chapman Parts Warehouse, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1982 he was married to Georgia Ann Bradford in Texas. After retiring in 1984 they moved to Artesia from Texas.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents brothers Herschel Whittington and Second Lt. Hillman Whittington, a B26 Bomber Pilot, who died during the Battle of Midway June 4, 1942 and a sister Gwendolyn Whittington.

Survivors include wife Georgia Ann Whittington of the family home daughters Linda Whittington of Texas, JoElla of California, and Nancy of Texas stepchildren John J.D. Donaghe of Texas, Jody Donaghe of Alaska, and Tom Donaghe of Wyoming 3 grandchildren and 8 stepgrandchildren.