Howard Raymond "Ray" Stutler

Howard Raymond "Ray" Stutler, 90, of Scottsdale, passed away on September 30, 2006, after a battle with cancer. Ray was born March 23, 1916 in Wichita, Kansas where he spent his younger days, until he entered the US Navy in 1942 to serve in World War II. At the time he entered the Navy, he was working in the Federal Land Bank in Wichita. Upon his separation from the Navy, he decided to make Arizona his permanent home and went to work in the Phoenix Traffic Office of the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1962, he was transferred to Flagstaff, Arizona as the Northern Arizona Traffic Representative for the Santa Fe Railroad. While living in Flagstaff, he was actively involved in numerous civic organizations. Ray was Chairman of Coconino County Fair Racing Commission for many years; Captain of the Flagstaff Sheriff's Posse; served on several committees of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce; was a member of the Flagstaff Rotary Club. He was transferred back to the Phoenix Traffic Office in 1978 where he retired in 1981 after 35 years with the Santa Fe. He was a member of the American Legion, DAV and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as Commander of the Phoenix VFW Post 720 for two years (1947-1949). Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria R. Stutler. He is survived by a stepdaughter Loretta Haugen, a stepson, David V. Poggi, and two nephews, Jerry and Robert Stutler. Visitation will be held on October 5, 2006 at 10:00 A.M., with a Funeral Service to follow at 10:30 A.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.