PRINCETON
—
Raymond M. "Ray" Halsey, Jr., 76, of 120 Ovenbird
Circle, Quail Valley, in Princeton died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at
Princeton Health Care Center.
Born January 10, 1934 in Mouth of Wilson, Va., he was the son of the
late Raymond M. Halsey, Sr. and Georgia Tuggle Halsey.
He was a 1951 graduate of Gary High School (three sport athlete), a 1955
graduate of Concord College (two sport letterman for four years), and
was a member of Phi Delta Pi Fraternity at Concord.
Ray was retired from Elliot Realty in Myrtle Beach, S.C., returning to
the Princeton area in 2004. Prior to moving to Myrtle Beach in 1992,
he was employed as the first full time Director of Princeton Mercer
County Chamber of Commerce and was the manager of the Beckley Raleigh
County Chamber of Commerce in Beckley from 1974 to 1977. He was later
employed by Anderson and Anderson Coal Company in Princeton as Business
Manager. He was also an insurance salesman for Citizens Insurance and
was owner-operator of Esso Service Station in Princeton. He was a
member of the First United Methodist Church in Princeton, Princeton Elks
Lodge #1459, Concord College Alumni Association, and Co-founder and
first elected President of West Virginia Bass Masters Association.
For many years, Ray officiated football at all levels including WVIAC
College and also basketball through the high school level. He was also
a U.S. Army veteran serving from 1956-1959 stationed at Ft. Devens,
Mass. Ray was an avid fisherman and enjoyed all sports including golf,
football, basketball and baseball. He will be remembered for his
outgoing personality. He never met a stranger.
Ray enjoyed his grandchildren, spending time at the old home place in
Piney Creek, N.C. and traveling. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red
Sox (favorite player was Ted Williams), WVU Mountaineers and Concord
University football.
In addition to his parents, one sister, Betty Halsey Haynes preceded him
in death.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Shirley Jones Halsey of
Princeton; two daughters, Deborah Lynn Halsey Matus of Fishers, Ind. and
Barbara Jo Halsey Hicks and husband Charlie of Gastonia, N.C.; one son,
William Gregory Halsey and wife Sheila Lynn Hill Halsey of Roanoke, Va.;
six grandchildren, Justin C. Halsey, Megan D. Halsey, Ryan Puckett,
Rachael Puckett, Rusty Hicks and Leslie Hicks; one brother, Jim Halsey
of Sparta, N.C.; one sister, Mary Wolferth of Bryn Maur, Pa.; and the
wonderful caregivers at Princeton Health Care Center.
In keeping with Ray's wishes, the body has been cremated.
A celebration of Ray Halsey's life will be conducted at 3:00 p.m.,
Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver
Funeral Home in Princeton with the Reverend T.G. Ayers officiating.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the service
hour on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First
United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 304, Princeton, WV 24740, or to the
Concord University Mountain Lion Club, P.O. Box 1000, ATTN: Mountain
Lion Club, Athens, WV 24712.
Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Halsey family.
