Luther Ray Gill

“Papa”

July 3, 1925 – September 5, 2011

Luther Ray “Papa” Gill, born July 3, 1925 to John and Myrtle Gill in Idabel, Oklahoma completed his work here on Earth on Labor Day, September 5, 2011, at the age of 86. Ray moved to California with his parents and siblings during the great dust bowl of 1935, he always told people, “we were Okies, but we were rich Okies because we had two mattresses.” He proudly fought for our country in World War II in the U.S Army’s 182nd Infantry. His grandchildren loved to hear him tell stories of his Army days especially how he got a Japanese War Flag while fighting the war in the Pacific.

After the war, he met and married the love of his life, Bernice. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary on the 28th of this month. Ray and Bernice lived, worked and served the Lord in both Atwater and Merced, California. They have 3 beautiful daughters; Brenda, Debbie and Lori all from Merced. Ray took joy in working with and helping others. He loved to have conversations (and he did)… with anyone. In his eyes there were no strangers, just friends he hadn’t met yet.

Ray worked for the Civil Service for 27 years as the Commissary Warehouse Foreman at Castle Air Force Base. He was a member of the Church of Christ, serving as an Elder for 28 years combined in both the Atwater and Yosemite Pkwy Merced congregations. One of the most important works in Ray’s life was his service to the Merced Bible Camp. He served as the Bible Camp Director for 30 years and he passed on his love for the Lord to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many, many others who knew him.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents; John and Myrtle Gill, his brother; John Gill and six of his sisters; Minnie Wright, Mae Kerley, Ruth Sizemore, Irene Tyler, Fanny Gage and Jeanette Turner.

Luther Ray “Papa” Gill is survived by his wife of 65 years; Bernice, two of his sisters; Lola Townsend of Orville, CA and Christine Nichols (Nick) of Murrells Inlet, NC, three daughters; Brenda Hartsell (Bill), Debbie Jester and Lori Smith (Randy) all of Merced, his seven grandchildren; Kathi Murdock (Mike), Sharon Fee (Scott), Brian Ferguson (Kelli), Dustin Smith (Sarah), David Smith (Laura) all of Merced, Brent Ferguson (Ginger) of Meridian, ID and Dawn Jester of Glendale, AZ. He is also survived by nineteen great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 from 3pm-7pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Services will be Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 at 2pm at the Church of Christ, 2050 Yosemite Pkwy., Merced, CA. Full Military Honors will be given at his private family burial on Monday at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ray Gill Merced Bible Camp Scholarship Foundation at Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union, Account # 2939035. Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home 1490 B Street, Merced, CA 95340

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.