Ray E. Gayheart

Ray E. Gayheart, age 94, passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Episcopal Church Home. He was born on June 2, 1917 in Floyd County, KY, the son of J. A. and Bernie Gayheart. He was a 1936 graduate of Maytown High School and attended Morehead State Teachers College and the University of Kentucky.

He taught school in Floyd County before joining the accounting firm of Waldman & Levitan in Louisville. He moved to Louisville in 1947 and while working for the firm became a Certified Public Accountant in 1948. After working for many years with the firm, in later years he joined Yeager, Ford & Warren, then Coopers & Lybrand, and then Welenken Himmelfarb & Co. accounting firms. Nearing retirement age he started his own accounting business where he worked until the age of 92.

Ray was an avid University of Louisville and Cincinnati Reds fan. He also loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending many hours on his farm in Grayson County and especially enjoyed having his family on the farm with him. At the age of 90 he was still riding his tractor mowing fields.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Audrey Fraley Gayheart and his brother Fletcher Gayheart.

Ray is survived by his sons, Gary Gayheart (Linda) and Barry Gayheart (Carol); daughter Deborah Willian (Donald); grandchildren Gabrielle Gayheart, Melissa Nesselrode (Derek), Reid Gayheart, Melody Gayheart, Scott Willian (Amanda), Lisa McNair (David) and Brent Willian (April); and seven great-grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at the Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Chapel, 4400 Bardstown Road, with burial to follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 4-8 p.m.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Episcopal Church Home for their excellent care and especially Ora Pittman for her support and kindness.

Ray was a Baptist by faith. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Westport Road Baptist Church.

You may visit us online at www.archlheadyresthaven.com