Raymond William O'Neal

Raymond “Ray” William O’Neal, 84, of Heppner, Oregon passed away on Sunday December 13, 2020 in Prineville surrounded by his family.  There will be a military memorial service held on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilliam and Bisbee Building (106 E May Street - Heppner, Oregon). Pastor Tim VanCleave of the Assembly of God Church will officiate.  To light a candle for Ray or to leave an online condolence for the family, please go to; www.whisperingpinesfuneralhome.com

Ray was born to Raymond Willis and Francis Thelma (Brummett) O’Neal in Clovis, New Mexico on August 23, 1936.  The family moved to Idaho where two of Ray’s sisters were born; Cenona and Ada. Then they moved on to Kinzua, Oregon and another sister was born; Darlene. Ray left school in his junior year and joined the US Navy. He served on the USS York Town in Guam as CSSN O’Neal, he was on the 7^th fleet assigned to the USS York Town. He met Bettylou Nancy La Count on a blind date when he was in the US Navy and married her on November 17, 1956 in Mt. Vernon, Washington.

After he was out of the US Navy, Ray and Betty moved to Kinzua, Oregon shortly after that to begin their lives together. Ray and Betty had four children; Jim, Rick, Susan and Donna.  Ray did mill work, logging, farming, road construction throughout his working years, retiring from the Morrow County Road Department.

Ray’s hobbies included working on vehicles, gardening, bowling and hauling his grandkids here and there.

Ray is preceded in death by an infant son, his daughter Susan (Dwayne) McClain, two grandchildren; Jimmy and Michael McClain, his parents, two sisters and their spouses.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty, two sons; Jim (Roxanne) O’Neal of Duvall, Washington, Rick (Kathy) O’Neal of Prineville, Oregon, daughter; Donna (Jason) Maben of Heppner, Oregon, Grandson’s; David, Jamie and Aaron O’Neal, Joshua (Jamie) O’Neal, Caleb (Jolene) O’Neal, Casey (Katie) Maben, Treston (Sam) Maben, Granddaughter’s; Tiffany (Jim) Fewell, Laci (Jason) Bell and Sydney (Alan Blackman) Maben and 11 great grandchildren.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Ray’s memory to St. Charles Hospice through Whispering Pines Funeral Home – 3168 NE 3^rd Street – Prineville, Oregon  97754                             541-416-9733

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.