Ray Edwards, 78, of Springfield, passed away on Friday September 25, 2026 at Arc at Sangamon Valley. He was born on July 12, 1948 in Springfield to John Danks Edwards and Vivian Louise Bulpitt Edwards. Ray married Pam Voots on October 1, 1988 in Denver, Colorado and she survives.
Mr. Edwards is also survived by three children: Amy (Tim) Lewis of Hannibal, MO., Lindsey Declue of Columbia, MO., and Josh Edwards of Palmyra, MO., six grandchildren: Evan (Kaitlyn) Lewis, Christopher (Jenny) Lewis, Olivia Declue, Josie Lewis, Eliza Declue and Peyton Edwards, one great-grandchild on the way, one brother: Dale (Janet) Edwards of Buffalo, IL., and three sisters-in-law: Linda McGee, Kathryn Highberger and Lisa Villarreal and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Jim Voots in 2022.
Ray graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and he worked as a computer programmer and systems analyst privately and for the State of Illinois. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, camping, gardening and carpentry projects.
A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday October 25, 2026 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at The Timber Lodge at the Sangamon County Fairgrounds in New Berlin, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association, Parkinson's Foundation or to the American Heart Association.
