William Joseph Rayl

William Joseph Rayl was born to Roy Glenn and Anna Ellen (Deaver) Rayl on April 1, 1937, in Sidney, Nebraska, the fourth of six boys. He passed away at his home in Longmont, Colorado, on December 24, 2010, surrounded by family. He was 73.

Bill, also affectionately referred to as Billy Joe by family and friends, grew up in Sidney in the panhandle of western Nebraska. He graduated from St. Pat’s Academy in 1955, and soon after enlisted into the United States Navy. He served in the Navy from 1956 to 1960, making rank of ACR2. He was an onboard navigator on naval planes based on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington.After his tour in the Navy, he held numerous jobs in his young adult life, including working in the oil fields of northern Wyoming, insurance salesman, cook, and at a sugar beet plant. He eventually went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control center in Longmont. He was an air traffic controller for most of his 37 years with the FAA, retiring in 2001.

Bill was married to Helen Josephine Helfrich, who grew up nearby on a family farm outside of Lodgepole, Nebraska, on July 15, 1961. To this union were born six children, Michael Joseph, Theresa Marie, Anthony Lynn, Sean Paul, Katrina Marie and Megan Coleen. The family spent most of their years growing up in Longmont, where most of the family still resides. Bill was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where he was also active in the Knights of Columbus.

Bill is preceded in death by his infant daughter Theresa, parents, Roy Glenn and Anna Ellen, and two brothers, Duane Francis Rayl and Richard Lawrence Rayl.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Helen, children Michael and wife Faith of Longmont, Tony and wife Kelly of Yuma, Colorado, Paul and wife Amy of Longmont, Katrina and husband Zach Smolka of Wheat Ridge, and Megan and husband Jim Walton of Longmont; grandchildren Mariah, Rachel, Christopher, Rebecca, Chad and wife Amanda, Jake, Kyle, Kadi, Kobe, Emma, Tanner, Evan, Domenic, Benjamin, Samuel, Jimi, Jamie, Lisa; great-grandchildren Aaron, Natalie, Jimi III; brothers James Dean and wife Joann of Texas, Robert Glenn and wife Judith of Arvada, Dennis Merle and wife Betty of Minnesota, sisters-in-law Janet and Jean; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

His rosary will be held on December 29, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Howe Mortuary. The funeral mass will be December 30, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 2410 B Trade Centre Avenue, Longmont, Colorado.

Donations may be made to the St. Francis of Assisi Building Fund in c/o Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman Street, Longmont, Colorado.