Howard Lee Ray passed away February 15, 2020 in Ephrata, Washington at the age of 88. He was born in Raymond, Washington on Sept. 8, 1931, moved with his family to Hoquiam, Washington in 1942 and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1949. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean (Wieland), and they celebrated 70 years of marriage April 5, 2019 prior to her death on June 12, 2019. They lived in Hoquiam and Palm Springs, California.

Howard joined the family business, Pantorium Dryworks, in 1949 and later went back to college and obtained his license as a Certified Public Accountant. He retired at the age of 50. He spent many years golfing as a member at the Grays Harbor Country Club, was formerly very active in the Lions Club, Eagles, Elks and the American Institute of CPAs.

Howard is survived by daughter Linda Ray Sperline (Evan) of Soap Lake, Washington; sons Steven Ray (Carol) of Elma, Washington and Robert Ray (Georgia) of Lincoln, Alabama; five grandchildren, Krysta Gribble, Eric Newstrand, Kevin Ray, Christopher Ray and Timothy Ray; five great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Chandler Gribble, Holly Ray, Brynley Ray and Josephine Ray), one great-great-granddaughter Presli Gribble; his sister, Wanda Jensen of Hoquiam and many nieces and nephews.

He spent his free time maintaining the beloved family home, golfing, building bird houses and creating turtles, birds, slugs and walking sticks from pieces of palm trees and other tree bits. He loved presenting his handicrafts as gifts to family and friends throughout the years. Howard had quite a fascination with clocks and clockworks and became a skilled tinkerer and repairman.

He and Betty Jean are fondly remembered as teachers of ballroom dancing to hundreds of Grays Harbor youth and adults.

Howard will always be remembered for his love of family, his beautiful blue eyes, his love of life, his willingness to give advice and help others, and his great generosity to his family.

A private family service will be held in August.