Wilbur Ray Hamilton, known most of his life as Ray, was born March 6, 1938 in Camp Dix, Lewis County, Kentucky. On Thursday, January 2, 2025 he went home to his Heavenly reward.
Ray grew up on the family farm in a beautiful valley. Chores and hard work were a daily part of life. Growing up he enjoyed fast cars and shenanigans with his brothers and sisters.
After graduating from Laurel High School in 1956 he moved to Portsmouth, Ohio. He found employment at Williams Shoe Factory where he met his first wife and mother of his children, Helen. On February 9, 1962 he began his career with Empire Detroit Steel Mill and retired in 1994.
Over the years Ray enjoyed many camping and traveling adventures. Traveling by van and tent with his young family, as far south as the ancient city of Teotihuacan, Mexico, across Canada and most of the United States. He and his second wife, Vivian honeymooned to Alaska in a van. In later years, his love of camping evolved to many different styles of RVs and he enjoyed camping with a great group of friends. They enjoyed many festivals, yard sales, Florida seafood and campfires with pots of soup and chili cooking over the open fire.
Ray would eventually move to Bucyrus, Ohio; where he put his knowledge and skill into building his beautiful home.
Ray was a faithful and active member of the Lincoln Avenue Church of Christ of Bucyrus, Ohio.
He was preceded in death, by the mother of his children, Helen Ratliff Hamilton and his second wife of 25 years, Vivian Roe Hamilton. Also preceding him, his parents Kelly and Cora Hamilton, sisters Brittie, Hazel, Nova, Lora, Adra Aunetta and Nellie; brothers Jim, Olen, Marcus,William “Enoch” and Noah Winfrey.
He is survived by his brother, Ronald (Clara) Hamilton and sister Lois (Glenn, deceased) Nolen. He leaves behind his children, daughter Lisa Hamilton Royal and husband Steve of Decatur, Illinois; his son Rod Hamilton and wife Vicky of Stout, Ohio. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lindsey Hodge and daughter Addie Mae; Elizabeth Anderson and husband Jarrod and daughters Makaela, Aurora, Finnley and Nova; Chrystal McCain and husband Todd and children Olivia, Owen and Kinley; Sarah Hamilton and husband Ben and children Dallas and Elissa; Rodney Hamilton and wife Sarah; step-grandson Franklin Osborne Jr. and children Willow, Creed, and Sylas.
He is also survived by his step-children and families, stepson Tony Lewis and wife Jackie of Mt. Gilead, Ohio; two step-daughters of Bucyrus, Ohio, Teresa V. Lewis Long and husband Ken and Melissa Lewis Ruhe. His step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren, Kaila Schock and husband Kyle and children Olivia, Owen, Oliver and Oakley; Chad Lewis and wife Rachael and children Waylon and Reagan; Shantelle and children Shaylee and Blaise; Brittany Ruhe and son Kade Keller; Mandi Spitler and husband Jeremy and children Jenna Spitler, Harley Shaum and fiancé Rachel and Tori Spitler.
Services celebrating Ray’s well-lived life will be Saturday, January 11, 2025. Visitation beginning at 11:00 AM with funeral service at 1:00 PM at the Globe Family Funeral Chapel, 7975 Lower Kinney Rd., Vanceburg, Kentucky with burial at the Hamilton Mawk Cemetery, Tar Fork Road, Kentucky.
In lieu of flowers, please make a monetary donation in memory of Ray Hamilton to SOMC Hospice, 724 8th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Globe Family Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Wilbur Ray Hamilton.
Condolences may be sent at www.globefamilyfc.com.
