Raymond Leroy Ware,87, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at his residence at the Trojan Villa in Troy, MO. He was born on April 16, 1927 in Altamont, Kansas to Joseph and Bertha (Westervelt) Ware. Raymond was blessed to have three siblings: one brother and two sisters. After attending the local schools, he married his childhood sweetheart, Lela Wallingford on July 18,1948 in Altamont, Kansas. To this union were born two children: Larry and Linda. Raymond and Lela Mae worked hard to support their family farming for a number of years while living around Altamont and Independence, Kansas. Raymond and his brother had a custom harvesting business and Lela and her sister-in-law cooked all their meals for them. He was also a self-employed over -the- road truck driver and then later worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a truck driver. In 1995, Raymond and Lela Mae moved to Summerfield, Florida, where he worked as a caretaker of the EBM Missions Grounds. In recent years they returned to the Troy area where Raymond helped his son, Larry, with his farming operations.

Raymond and Lela Mae were faithful members of their local church, the Troy Bible Holiness Church. At the time of his death, Raymond was a Board Member, and had also served on the Board of Trustees of the Bible Holiness Church in Independence, Kansas, as well as the Troy Holiness Camp Board.

He is survived by his beloved wife; Lela Mae Ware of Troy, his son; Larry and wife Martha Ware of Troy, his daughter; Linda and husband Robert Schaper of Odessa, MO,five grandchildren,twelve great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Over the course of the years,he and his brother were instrumental in elevating the top of the IBS building in Independence,KS. He assisted other workers in remodeling the old kitchen at the campground, and then later helped construct  a new dining hall for the church in Independence. After moving to the retirement villa, he enjoyed working with LCCOA ( Meals on Wheels).

On a personal note, later in life he seemed to enjoy being called “Ray” rather than Raymond. He was also lovingly called Dad and Grandad.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and two sisters.
He will be sadly missed and long remembered by all those who knew and loved him.

Visitation- Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 12-2 p.m. at Troy Bible Holiness Church in Troy, MO

Funeral Service- Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. – Troy Bible Holiness Church in Troy, MO   Rev. Gary Jackson officiating.
Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jeremy Talley, Tim Dillow, Darin Ware, Bryan Schaper, Alex Schaper and Derrick Carter.

Memorials- In lieu of flowers – Keith and Crystal Schaper, Missions, Kenya, Africa or Dustin’s Dream- dustinsdream.net/guatemala or Gideons Bible Society c/o
McCoy-Blossom Funeral & Cremation Center 1304 Boone Street Troy, MO 63379

Friends and Family may sign the online guest book at www.mccoyblossom

Source:  McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, on-line