WILLIAM RAY ALEXANDER

William Ray Alexander, age 79, former resident of Fort Scott and more recently of Lansing, Kan., passed from this life Monday, May 11, 2009, at his home.

He was born Dec. 30, 1929, in Springfield, Mo., the son of Ray Clifton Alexander and Gretchen Maurine Vaughn Alexander.

Bill was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving during the Korean War.

He married Lee Ellen Bagby on July 23, 1953 at Harrison, Ark.

Bill was retired as credit manager for General Motors Finance.

Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Fort Scott, served as President of the Lenexa School Board, was a member of the Solomon Lodge No. 71, Springfield, Mo.; Topeka Scottish Rite, American Legion Post No. 1, Topeka, Kan.; York Rite, Knight Templar, the Mirza Shrine, Honorary Divan of the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg, Kan.; and Hiattville Order of the Eastern Star.

He was a lifetime member of DeMolay as well as Master Counselor of the Springfield DeMolay.

Survivors include his wife Lee, of the home in Lansing; two daughters: Debbie Norris and husband Phil, Fort Scott and Melissa "Missy" Medill and husband Tabor, Lansing, Kan.

Also surviving are five grandchildren: Megan Vincent and husband Cameron, Lyons, Kan.; Andrew Norris, Fort Scott; Carah Medill, Gardner, Kan.; Tabe Medill and wife Kim and Troy Medill, all of Leavenworth, Kan.; and seven great-grandchildren: Adam Vincent, Michael Vincent, Matthew Vincent, Mitchell Vincent, McKayla Vincent, George Medill and Tyler Szala. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Danny Alexander.

Chaplain Martin Bush will conduct funeral services at 2 p.m., Saturday at the First United Methodist Church. Following the funeral service there will be cremation.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time at the church.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, with Military Honors conducted by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No.1165 V.F.W. Masonic rites will be conducted at the graveside.

Memorials are suggested to the Shrine Transportation Fund or Sunflower Hospice and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Words of comfort may be emailed to condolences@cheneywitt.com.