Raymond A. Wasil

Ray Wasil was born on the ninth day of the twelfth month in the year of our Lord, 1931. He was the son of immigrant parents George and Christina Wasil. Ray was the youngest of twelve, six brothers and three sisters who proceed him in passing.

He grew up working on the family farm and assisting his father and brothers in the family welding and blacksmith business. This laid the foundation for his lifelong pursuit of vocational education (the original Mike Rowe) and his love of gardening.

Upon graduation from High School, Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served with distinction in Korera. He was welding on a pipeline with his brothers when he decided to utilize the GI Bill and enroll in Kent State University.

After graduation he began his career in education, principally in the areas of counseling and vocational education. He started as a school guidance counselor in Akron, Ohio eventually becoming Director of The Division of Guidance and Testing for the State of Ohio. During this tenure he earned his PHD from The Ohio State University. He worked at the national level with APGA, AVA, DOL and other governmental agencies. He served as a consultant to many states and was recognized by the President of the United States for his work to organize industry/education programs. He went on to found “Focus on Tomorrow Today” educational consulting services and was brought in to help establish the national vocational school system in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia. He also consulted in Turkey and served as Director of the PSI Institute in Columbus, Ohio.

From Korea until his discharge post Desert Storm, he was a proud member of the Army Reserves, serving the 83rd ARCOM out of Fort Hayes. He achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four (CWO4) during this tenure. He was called back to duty during Desert Storm in his 50’s and again served with distinction. His military accomplishments include three Bronze Stars (Bronze Star with three clusters), The Southwest Asia Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Crewmember Wings, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal and two Army Forces Reserve Medals. He was a true patriot that loved his country and flew its flag proudly. He truly lived the American Dream.

I would like to give profound thanks to the nurses and assistants at Capital City Hospice (Karen/Ebony) for their fine care of my father during his last months. We were blessed.

Proceeded in death by his son Craig Raymond Wasil.

Survived by his son Jeffrey Robert (Linda) Wasil, daughter Melissa Wasil; and grandkids Carys, Collin and Brianna.

A funeral service celebrating Ray’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 1:00pm at Schoedinger Worthington. The family will receive friends from 11am until the start of the funeral service. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Kingwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers – donations to Welcome Home -Central Ohio Stand Down at https://www.centralohiostanddown.org/donation-information/

“Learning never exhausts the mind” Leonardo da Vinci