Stanford Ray

1919 - 2015

Stanford Ray

Smithfield - Stanford Ray, age 95, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2015 in Riverside Convalescent Center. Born in 1919 in Honaker, VA, he was one of six children of Oliver Clinton Ray and Gertrude Salyer.

He was a salesman throughout his life working in various jobs including Executive Vice President of Cliff Weill, Inc. and as an independent business consultant. Stan joined the U.S. Navy in 1938 working his way up in rank to Chief Petty Officer in charge of the engine room on the U.S.S. Benham. He fought in the Pacific at the Battle of The Coral Sea, Okinawa and the Phillippines.

During the famous Halsey's Typhoon, the Benham, like many other of the 73 ships in the task force, was pitched as much as 74 degrees by the violent waves, nearly capsizing whenever the fires were extinguished. To relight the engine, Stan raced five times up ladders to the radio shack and back. His heroic efforts, which were recognized by a Navy Medal for "outstanding courage and devotion to duty without regard for his personal safety," kept the ship from sinking, thereby saving 325 men on board. Three other vessels sank and several others were severely damaged. Throughout his life, Stan received cards and phone call from sons and daughters of those 325 men thanking him for saving their fathers' lives.

Stan was an outgoing, gregarious man who loved people and was well known for his many stories drawn from life.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Roberts Ray and by all of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son, Ronald Alan Ray of Albany, NY; granddaughter, Maile Caroline Ray, of New York City; nephews, William Clinton Combs of Exton, PA and Oliver Clinton Ray, III of Richmond, VA; niece, Rebecca Combs Richardson of Bluefield, VA and several great nieces and nephews. He loved and was very proud of all of them.

Services will be held at 1PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Historic St. Luke's Church. Burial will follow in St. Luke's Memorial Park with full military honors. A visitation and reception will be in the Family Life Center at Smithfield Baptist Church following the service.

Arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton, Smithfield, Isle of Wight VA. Family and friends are encouraged to post condolences and memories at colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.