Ray Paul Heatherly, loving husband, father and grandfather, went home to be with the Lord at 8:00 am. on Monday, July 16, 2007, surrounded by his family.  Ray was born in Cardin on September 7, 1923, to Sam and Mina (Brown) Heatherly.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alzada, of the home; four sons, Dale Heatherly and wife Linda of Quapaw, David Heatherly and wife Ronna of Bartlesville, Tom Watson and wife Janis of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Jimmie Zinn of Kellogg, Idaho; two daughters, Linda (Barnett) Kelly and husband Bill of Quapaw, and Gayla Waggoner of Baxter Springs, Kansas. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and special friends, Betty Frazier and Jane Trease and many others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Mina Heatherly, brothers Ott, Cotton, Carl, Roy and Elmer; sisters Juanita, Mae and Fay; one grandson, Dusty Kelly, and two great grandsons, Ryan Snyder and Nicholas Zinn.

Ray served in the military during World War 2. He worked in the mines and resided in Cardin until 1959.  He then moved to Miami and worked for First Baptist Church for 20 years. He retired from Newell Coach in 1987. Ray was a member of Peoria First Baptist Church and was a faithful servant of God. He taught Sunday School and used his God-given talent singing and playing his guitar throughout the area.  A couple of his most memorable songs are 'Come Home, Come Home, It's  Suppertime' and 'Ride in My Little Red Wagon'.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter and passed his life and knowledge of it to all his family.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami. The Rev. Tom Watson [Ray's son] and the Rev. Paul Case officiated. Pallbearers were Mickey Heatherly, Larry Heatherly, Jack Heatherly, Bill Kelly, Chad Kelly, Buzz Ervin, Gary Bacon and Terry Heatherly. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Bayliss, Dennis Heatherly, Bubb Ervin, Gary Ervin, Ed Payton, Chuck Heatherly, Don Heatherly and Linden Heatherly. Interment followed at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, with military rites conducted at the graveside.