Raymond F. Henders

RAYMOND FRANCIS HENDERS
Born May 5, 1928 in Chicago, Il.
Ray was the third son born to Harrison Francis Hender, a railroad conductor from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Anna Keough of Houghton, Michigan. Ray's older siblings were Harry, Bill, Joan and younger siblings Nancy and David. Ray was the last to pass on to glory!
Ray attended Catholic schools in Chicago but decided at the ripe old age of 17 that the United States Navy was the place he needed to be. He served at the end of WWII in the south Pacific and is a WWII veteran.
When he came home to Chicago, he began his life's work in the metal stamping business – he worked in that industry his entire career and even, at one time, had his own business.
Ray's interest in barbershop harmony singing started about that time, too. He was a 70+ year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and won many awards in the various quartets he sang with. He was also dubbed Music Man of the Year in 2001. His quartet, Chicago News with Ray singing tenor, were barbershop quartet international champions in 1982.
Ray and Sharon were introduced to each other through a mutual friend, who later became someone you see or hear frequently in the Empire Rug commercials! They were married Feb. 6, 1965 and were blessed with 3 wonderful sons – Bill, Ray Jr., and Patrick.
Ray's love of barbershop harmony took him on many adventures as he sang in quartets that were to entertain not only in the US but Canada, Viet Nam, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and believe it or not – Russia in 2010.
He loved to sing but even more to be in front of a microphone and entertaining. Some of his jokes have become legendary - sort of!
He spent a lot of his adult travelling and performing – bringing joy to so many people all over our country and the world.
He was a wonderful, loving, supportive husband. His children adored him and shared in so many joys with him.
He loved his Lord and was part of a men's bible group: Man 2 Man, for years. Ray and Sharon were blessed with their faith walk together. Sunday services were certainly the high point of their week and the friends they made enriched their lives.
He is survived by his children, Doug and granddaughter Lola, Christina and grandsons Dan (Lindsay) and great grandson Bozeman; and Tim (Julie) and great grandchildren Molly and Everett; Bill (ex-spouse Kathy) and granddaughters Melissa and Alexis; Raymond Jr. (Joanne) and granddaughter Charlotte; Patrick (MaryPat) and grandchildren, Jakob, Joanna and Clara.
We're all sure now he's entertaining all his friends, angels, and saints in heaven telling them what he told everyone here, "I never had a bad day in my life!"
Ray's life will be celebrated with a funeral service held at Chain Of Lakes Community Bible Church, 43 W. Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa, IL at 11:00 am Friday September 6, with visitation prior to the service from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.