William Ray Igleheart

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Rainbow Presbyterian Church for Mr. William Ray Igleheart, 82, of Gadsden, who died Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. The Rev. Lea Clower officiated. Burial was in Crestwood Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directed.

Ray was born March 1, 1925, in Albertville. He was a native of Marshall County and a longtime resident of Etowah County. He was retired from Rhodes Furniture and the Greater Gadsden Housing Authority.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Igleheart; first wife, Betty of 26 years; second wife, Jane of 25 years; sister, Ruth Stanfield; and brother, Jack Igleheart.

He is survived by wife, Barbara; daughter, Debbie (Arthur) Allison, Longwood, Fla.; three grandsons, Chad, Derek and Jared Allison, Longwood, Fla.; great-granddaughter, Sasha Allison, Orlando, Fla.; stepsons, Jimmy Garrison, Attalla, and Joseph Garrison, Oxford, Miss.; two step-grandchildren, Bobby Garrison and Ashley Garrison, Attalla; and niece, Becky Hanby, Newport, Va.

He was a member of Rainbow Presbyterian Church. He served in the Air Force as a staff sergeant during World War II on a B-17 Bomber. His plane was damaged on his 13th mission on a bombing raid over Blechhamer, Germany, and he parachuted over Yugoslavia. After 13 days with the underground, he returned to his base in Foggia, Italy, and flew 22 more missions before returning to the United States. He received the Purple Heart and Air Medal. He returned to Gadsden High School and graduated in 1946, and then attended Jacksonville State University. He was a past member of Lion's Club, Rotary Club, Gadsden Quarterback Club and Alabama 60+ Golf Association.

Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Todd Cross, his office staff and Jim Stivender.

Pallbearers were Chad Allison, Derek Allison, Jared Allison, James Slickenmyer, Marvin Walker and Bob Babros.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association or the Rainbow Presbyterian Church building fund.