Raymond R. Risley

Raymond R. Risley Sr. passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 24, 2008, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 91, a loving husband and a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born Feb. 27, 1917, in Madison, Wis., to Henry C. and Amanda Risley. He graduated from East High School and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He married Alma Piazza on July 4, 1942, in Madison. He worked as a maintenance scheduler and safety director for 15 years at Olin Industries Badger Ordinance Munitions Plant in Baraboo, Wis. He then was transferred to Ormet Corp. in Burnside in 1957 where he worked as a maintenance planner and supervisor for 40 years until his retirement. He then moved to Village Woods Retirement Community with his wife, Alma, where he served as board president and various committee chairs. He was an avid supporter of Alma's long association with the Sweet Adelines and was a gifted artist in stained glass. He was also remarkable for his problem solving abilities and had an active curiosity for all things mechanical. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ray had a special sense of humor and was widely respected as being an unfailingly kind and generous person. Everyone who knew him loved him. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Alma; son, Raymond R. "Rick" Risley Jr. and wife Kay, of Baton Rouge; daughter, Toni Christenson and husband Gene, of Jackson Port, Wis.; two sisters, Carole Tice, Palm Desert, Calif., and Hilda Maston, of Snoquamish, Wash.; and a brother, Clemeth E. Risley, of Madison, Miss.; three beloved grandchildren, Raymond Richard Risley III and wife Sara, of Ann Arbor, Mich., Jason N. Risley and wife Angie, of Prairieville and Kelly Janda and husband David, of Stoughton, Wis.; and two great-grandchildren, Ellen and Peter Janda, both of Stoughton, Wis. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Amanda; an infant sibling, Clyde; a sister, Mary Ripa; a nephew, Henry Maston; and a niece, Beth Ripa. Visitation at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m., followed by a service and rosary. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway. Pall bearers will be Jason N. Risley, Raymond R. Risley III, Matthew Lakin, George Phillips, Joel Phillips and Steve Sandifer. Honorary pall bearers are David Janda, and Gene Badeau. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Red Cross and Alzeimer's Research. A special thank you to Shannon Hunter for her watchful care for the last few months.