Ray J. Avila Sr, retired USPS Fleet Manager, age 95, beloved husband, father and abuelo, passed away December 22, 2020. Third child of eleven born to Miguel and Refugio Avila in Wichita, Kansas. Ray proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. During his time in service he served in the European Theater during the Normandy Landing, Battle of the Bulge and was a MIA-POW. Ray's commendations included, the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and French Legion of Honor. He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Teresa Avila; siblings, Jessie Guerrero, Urban Avila, Roman Avila, Cora Abney, Juby Moreno and Virginia Nicholas; son-in-law, Emmett Haddox; and grandchildren, Arthur “Chico” Bergquist and Keely Rae Stephens. He is survived by sons, Ray (Norma) Avila, Jr., Steve (Mary) Avila; daughters, Carolyn (Steve) Bergquist, Victoria Haddox and Elisa (Loren) McKnight; siblings, Carmen Powell, Betty Trujillo, Frank Avila and Victoria Estrada; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Monday, December 28th, with visitation one hour prior, at Westwood Presbyterian Church, 8007 W. Maple Street, Wichita, Kansas 67209. Burial to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11800 W. Hwy 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209.
To watch the video of Ray's WWII experience, you can visit this site. https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.3297
The family invites you to also watch the services livestreamed from the church' Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Westwood-Presbyterian-Church-117861424900044/ as well as the church' YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0IxsmuGJYxqz9GRmNjQuyw starting at 9:00AM with a video tribute playing then the funeral service following at 10:00AM.
The family has requested the graveside services to be livestreamed from Resthaven Mortuary & Resthaven Gardens of Memory Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ResthavenMortuary/
