Ray Franklin McCracken III

Ray "Butch" F. McCracken III, 71, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on December 20, 2025. Born January 21, 1954 in Rockford, IL, the son of Ray and Marion (Kelser) McCracken, Jr.

Ray graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1972. He married his beloved wife, Patty, in 1980, and together they raised their three children in Stillman Valley. Ray dedicated over 40 years as a loan officer prior to his retirement in 2022. Ray built a career on relationships, treating his customers as family and he remembered them fondly after retirement. Following his retirement, Ray and Patty relocated to Alabama, where they looked forward to enjoying their time together.

Ray was passionate about basketball and his love for the game allowed him to be a committed coach where he poured his heart into teaching young athletes and building relationships that extended far beyond the court. Basketball was more than a game to him, it was a love he passed on to his children and grandchildren and watching them on the court always made him proud. Ray enjoyed watching sporting events, boating, cooking, yardwork, catching up with friends and dancing with Patty. He cherished time spent with his family and always made his family a priority above anything else. His larger-than-life personality, contagious laughter and ability to make everyone feel important will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Survived by his wife and best friend of 45 years, Patricia McCracken; dedicated father to Shelley (Greg) Marchini, Mandey Johnson, Ray F. "Mitch" (MaryEllen) McCracken IV; Loving Papa to Sophia, Layni, Max, and Ray V "Tyler"; sisters Phyllis (Richard) Heuerman, Joyce (Phil) Welsh, and Kathy (Perry) Pellegrini; sisters-in-law, Linda (Marvin) Rager and Sandra (Randy) Harkey; father-in-law, Reverend Myron Bartell and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Iva Bartell. While our hearts are heavy, we are honored to have been part of his life. He made a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of so many.

Honoring Ray's wishes, friends and family will gather to celebrate his life in the spring, with details to be shared at a later date.