Ray Ishmael Stanley, age 91, of Hot Springs , formerly of Caddo Valley , passed from this life on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at West Shores Assisted Living Center in Hot Springs .  He was born October 24, 1926 in Vick , AR , the son of the late Grady and Ruth Loretta Colvin Stanley. Ray was the fourth out of nine children. He was a graduate of the Vick High School class of 1945.

Ray was a retired MSGT in the United States Air Force having served in World War II and the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed several places around the world including, Cape Canaveral, FL, Larey AFB, Denver, CO, Holliman AFB, NM, Clark AFB, Philippines, Hakoto, Japan, Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL, Vietnam, Cebu Island, Philippines, and Altus AFB, Altus, OK, where he retired.  Ray worked for International Paper in Pine Bluff before moving to Arkadelphia where he then went to work as a maintenance supervisor at OBU for seventeen years before retiring in 1993.

He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Ray was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church . He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and playing cards, especially pinochle. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Durrell, Cecil, Kenneth and Franklin, sisters, Maselle, Brooksey, Ethel and Lenora and one son, William Denton Stanley.

Survivors are his wife of sixty-seven years, Evanelle Skaggs Stanley of Hot Springs ,  one son, Larry Stanley (Vicki) of Hot Springs , one granddaughter, Alissa Scott (Brad), two great grandchildren, Kathleen and Haley, and two sister in laws, Kathy Stanley of Hermitage and Carol Stanley of Arkadelphia.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, December 29, 2017 at Welch Funeral Home with Pastor Katrina Stanley officiating.

Visitation 1:00 PM until service time Friday.

Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Caddo Valley Cemetery .

Memorials may be made to Caddo Valley Cemetery Fund, c/o John Frazier, 208 E. Dodson, Caddo Valley , AR 71923 .

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.  Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book and view the video tribute.