Champ Ray

1938 - 2025

Champ Edward Ray, 87, of Valdese, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Amorem, Hudson, after a period of declining health. He was born July 25, 1938, in Madison County, N.C., to the late Odus and Dorothy Wallin Ray.

Champ enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He served 23 years on active duty as a Navy Corpsman rising to the rank of Master Chief, E-9. His military career spanned the globe being stationed at bases on both coasts of the U.S. and international locations including Morocco, The Philippines, and Spain. Additionally, he served a combat tour in Vietnam. He ended his military career stationed in Washington, D.C., where he helped design and implement major elements of the Navy healthcare system.

After retiring from the Navy, he attended Western Piedmont Community College where he received his nursing degree. He then turned his attention to serving the local community as a Registered Nurse. He worked at several area hospitals before settling at Frye Regional Medical Center as an intensive care and emergency department nurse. Also, he was a real estate investor as he developed, operated, and owned a mobile home community in Connelly Springs, N.C.

Champ was an active volunteer and member of several local veterans organizations including Vietnam Veterans of America, Fleet Reserve Association, Marine Corps League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American Veterans where he served a stint as Commander for the Morganton Chapter. He served as Chairman of the Burke County Killed In Action (KIA) Committee which brought the memorial for the Burke County fallen to downtown Morganton. Also, he was a volunteer and committee chairman for the Burke County Republican Party.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Shirley Bullman Ray of the home; a daughter, Karen Ray Wentzel and husband, Dr. Carl F. Wentzel, III of Yorktown, Va.; a son, Steven Ray of Valdese; and a sister, Vivian Dorene Ray Cutshall of Zephyrhills, Fla. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Katlin Aughenbaugh and husband, John of Williamsburg, Va., Alexander Perry of Boca Raton, Fla., Lindsay Wentzel of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Taylor Wentzel, Atlanta, Ga.; and great-grandchildren, Lydia and Phillip Aughenbaugh. He was proceeded in death by his sister, Shirley Ray Laughter of Hendersonville, N.C.

Funeral services for Champ Edward Ray will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service with Rev. Larry Westman officiating. The family will receive friends from 3 until 4 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Service.

Interment including Full Military Honors with Escort by the U.S. Navy will be conducted Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 12 p.m., in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, N.C.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Morganton Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

An online guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.