Raymond Earl Ray"Big Papa"Vigil

Vigil, Raymond Earl Ray "Big Papa"Born in Columbia, MS on March 4, 1925 and a former resident of Baton Rouge, Ray died at 2:40 am on Monday, September 22, 2014 at La Plantation Retirement Community in Denham Springs. He was 89. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving from 1943 until being wounded in 1945. Ray enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 where he proudly served his country during the Korean War and Vietnam War until he retired with an Honorable Discharge in 1965. For his years of bravery and dedication, he earned many medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, EAMETO Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and Air Force Good Conduct Medal. After returning to civilian life, Ray also was a retired LSU barber. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East Chapel, 11000 Florida Blvd, from 9 am until religious services at 11 am conducted by the Rev. Michael Collins. Entombment with Military Honors will follow at St. George Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Illy "Mickey" Vigil; daughter, Janet Barnett; son, Doug Miller and wife Carol; five grandchildren, Bill Warner and wife Amanda, Jennie Hilliard and husband Jeff, Melissa Valiquette and husband Jay, Roban Root and husband Judd, and Sydney Barnett; eleven great-grandchildren, Gabe, Miller, Camden and Jensen Hilliard, Ryder and McKenna Valiquette, Hayden, Blake and Reese Warner, and Emma and Sophia Root; and a brother, Eddie Vigil and wife Dee. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Ceferino and Carrie Vigil; sisters and brothers, Anita Mann, Eunice Fay Allgood Creel, Peggy White, Robert Clifton Vigil, and Milton "Mickey" Vigil; and his great-grandson, Colton Warner. Pallbearers will be Mike Bordelon, Scott and Mark Wainwright, Jerry Gause, and Miller and Cam Hilliard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.