Ray Emil Wittmayer

10/20/1918 - 12/21/2010

Ray Emil Wittmayer
"Together Again"
Ray Emil Wittmayer, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was 92. He is together again with his adored wife, Bea, who predeceased him on September 30, 2010.
Ray was born October 20, 1918 in Bismarck, North Dakota to Emil G. and Hilda P. (Schatz) Wittmayer. He moved with his family to Lodi, California, in 1922, and then to Los Angeles in 1933 for his father's health. Ray's father passed away in 1935 (age 45), and his mother in 1995 (age 100).
During the depression, Ray quit school and joined the CCC to help his family financially. He would tell colorful stories of "riding the rails" to get home and of avoiding the "railroad bulls" who were hired to keep people off the trains.
Ray married Mildred Blodgett in 1940 and they had two daughters, Sandra Olesen and Sharon Hamacker. Millie passed away in 1968.
In 1975, Ray met Bea on a golfing tour to Hawaii (he coming from Anaheim and she from Santa Maria - it was fate!) and the love affair resulted in their marriage on May 1, 1976. Ray said the first thing he noticed about Bea was her smile. Ray inherited a wonderful and loving extended family with his marriage to Bea, whose grandchildren refer to him as "Grandpa Ray", and who were quite devoted to him. He also enjoyed the visits from his Danish family over the years.
Ray commuted to Los Angeles for his job for a couple years. He retired as a machinist planner and he and Bea then enjoyed traveling abroad to see Sandy and her family, fishing, camping with the Traveleers, and especially golfing at the Santa Maria Country Club. He also loved to play poker, and was quite good, we understand! He was a member of both the Elks and the Masonic Lodge for many years.
Ray's daughter, Sharon, and his stepdaughter, Beatrice Lohman, predeceased him. He is survived by his sister, DeLorris Osborn (Santa Maria), his daughter, Sandra (Maurice - Denmark), his stepdaughter, Roxanne Wallace (Washington), his grandchildren Katrina Olesen (England), Debra Olesen, Chris Olesen, and Brenda Haugaard (Jesper - all of Denmark), Victoria Randall (Greg - Atascadero), Ted Lohman (Marti - Mountain View), Valerie Bockus (Larry - Nebraska), Virginia Gradin (Tim - Saskatchewan), Jason Wallace (Janey - San Diego), and Jeffrey Wallace (Lize - Washingon). Also, he had many great- and great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews who loved him.
Ray served in the Navy during World War II and his ashes will be interred at the VA cemetery in Riverside, California.
Ray will be missed for his quick wit, his generosity, his patience, his kindness, and his consideration of others. He was truly a renaissance man! We love you, Ray!!!
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens.

Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com