Raymond Arthur Goutiere

RAYMOND ARTHUR GOUTIERE CHARLESTON – Raymond Arthur Goutiere, of Charleston, passed peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at the Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston. He is reunited with his childhood sweetheart and loving wife of 64 years, Violet June Harmon Goutiere, who passed on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Inseparable in life, they are reunited once again. Born May 17, 1930 at Charleston, WV, he was the son of the late Rudolf August and Glenna Marie Crubaugh Goutiere. Of the Baptist faith, he was a proud husband father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His father, a Belgian immigrant, handed down the family art of hand glass cutting and apprenticed his son at the Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, from which Raymond retired with thirty-four years of exemplary service. Raymond retired a second time from the Grounds Department at Berry Hills Country Club, where he enjoyed working the greens. Still not satisfied to sit idle, he proved that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. He tinkered and restored found treasures, crafted beautiful wooden trinket boxes, and grew vegetables all to be shared with others. He continued, until his health began to fail at 82, to cut grass for the elderly in the neighborhood. Most amazingly, despite his own failing health, he cared for his beloved June until her passing, just as he promised he would more than 64 years ago. Raymond was a proud veteran of the United States Army and served in combat in the Korean War for one year, three months, and twenty-four days. He received a promotion to the rank of Corporal and escaped death twice from friendly fire. He transferred to the United States Army Reserves for eight additional years. He is survived by daughters, Ramona Goutiere of Ashland, NH, and Rowena and her husband Michael Stiltner of Charleston; grandchildren, Jason Stiltner, Shane Stiltner, and Tia Stiltner and her fiancé Mark Bing; and great-grandchildren, Tristen Stiltner, Hayden Stiltner, Kinley Bing, and Jaxon Bing, all of Charleston; sister, Ruby M. Goutiere of Montgomery; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his wife and soulmate, he was predeceased by brothers, Linford Goutiere, Ralph A. Goutiere, and Williard Ward; and sisters, Lottie Lula Duncan and Delores Goutiere Gibson. Graveside services will be private for the family at Huse Memorial Park in Fayetteville. No visitation will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Raymond’s honor to Hubbard Hospice House, 1606 Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston, WV 25387. Many heartfelt thanks to those who cared for Daddy, Mother, and our little family. Although your names may escape us, we know your faces, hear your voices, feel your arms around us, and send up prayers of thanks for each of you. And, to James A. Frame, MD., thank you for being an honorable, understanding man and physician. Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home is assisting the family. For those wishing to express their condolences, please visit our website at ww.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com.