Walter Glenn Ray

Walter Glenn Ray passed away peacefully in Nephi, Utah, at 2 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, one day shy of his 89th birthday.

He was born on October 4, 1937, in McNary, Arizona, to Walter Glenn Brown and Mary Smith Peterson. The family relationship dissolved later. When Glenn was 10, his mother married Waldo Ray, who became the father Glenn had been waiting for.

Glenn spent most of his youth in the Snowflake, Arizona, area. At 18, he joined the Air Force. While stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he met the sweetest girl of his life, Ruth Ann Philips. They soon married and spent the next 22 years traveling together from Ohio to Morocco, England, Arizona, Korea, and California, where Glenn retired after 22 years of service.

After retiring from the Air Force, Glenn moved to Bakersfield, California, where he worked side by side with his oldest son, Walt. He made Bakersfield his home for 40 years. Five years ago, he moved to Laurel Groves Assisted Living in Nephi, Utah. There he found new friendships after years spent caring for Ruth and the isolation of the COVID pandemic.

Glenn was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he met Ruth, she was drawn to the idea of an eternal family. Glenn baptized her a few months after they married. Over the years, he served as a Scoutmaster, branch president, bishop three times, ward mission leader, high councilman and many other church callings.

Glenn was involved with service organizations, such as the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club, serving one year as its president. He also served on the boards of NAPD, KALC, and CALM.

He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Ruth; his son Walter G. Ray II; his son-in-law Craig C. West; his grandsons Ryan West and Ian Ray; his parents Waldo and Mary Ray; and his sisters Joan Washburn, Barbara Green, and Margaret Clawson.

He is survived by his brothers Lynn (Doreen) Ray and Waldo (Becky) Ray; his children Teresa West, Debra (Alan) Gull, Matthew Ray, James (Kathy) Ray, Marianne (Jordan) Clark, daughter-in-law Robin Ray and Rick (Gayle) Dickenson; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

The family expresses deep appreciation to the staff of Laurel Groves for the countless hours they spent caring for Dad in his final years. You will not be forgotten.

There will be a viewing on Saturday, October 10th, from 6-8 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah.

Please come share our celebration of Glenn's life.