Raymond Paul Cheeley

He was born in Salem, Illinois, in July 1940 to Paul and Vernelle Cheeley. Although known by many as Paul, from a very young age his mother and siblings called him “Sonny”, and in his adult life he became known as Ray. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Lynda Snider and they had 3 children, Stephanie, Greg, and Steve. They have 8 grandchildren, Christopher, Kristal, Chad, Brett, Rebecca, Rachael, Joe and Sam, and 2 great grandchildren, Brayden and Ava.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, his son Greg, his sister Ruth Ann Smith, and his brother Rob Cheeley.

He is survived by his wife Lynda, his daughter Stephanie Grant, his son Steve, and his sister Jan Madsen.

Nothing was more important to Ray than to provide for his family and to care for his grandkids with a generous heart. Ray also treasured his service in the Navy and the service of both of his sons in the Navy and will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix near his son.