He was born July 23, 1925 in Crookston, Minnesota and moved to Superior, Wisconsin as a young child.

On September 4, 1953 in Carlton, Minnesota, Raymond Avis and Mary Ann Nelson were united in marriage. In 1959 they moved to their current home in Bennett, Wisconsin.

As a young man he apprenticed as a house painter with his Uncles and earned his private pilot's license. From 1947 to 1967 Ray served in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Japan and Korea during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Thule, Greenland, the Mojave Desert and Duluth, MN. Following his military career he drove school bus for the Northwestern School District until 1987.

Ray's many interests included golfing, fishing, woodworking and RV traveling throughout the western United States. He was an avid handyman who could fix anything and loved a challenging project.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Mildred Talbot; step-father, Forest Talbot; and aunt, Grace Lundquist.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann, Lake Nebagamon; son, Thomas (Susan) Avis, Bennett, WI; daughter, Ann (John) Scott, Waunakee, WI; granddaughter, Jacquelyn (Nicholas) Ledin, Superior; grandson, Mathew Avis, Bennett; great-grandson, Oliver Ledin, Superior; cousin, Norman Marshall, Palmetto, FL; nieces and nephews, Dianne Moon, Auburn, WA, Arlene Morin, Waterbury, CT, Andrew J. Nelson, Hudson, WI, Edwin Little, Vancouver, WA, and Jerry Little, Normandy Park, WA.

The visitation / memorial service will be at 2pm, on Friday, September 17, 2010 at the Bennett Town Hall, Bennett, WI, with a luncheon to follow. A private committal service with military rites will be held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, WI.

Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N. 19th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements.