SHERIDAN - Graveside services for Sheridan resident Ray W. Robertson, 79, will be conducted at 11 a.m. today in Sheridan Elks Cemetery by the Rev. Doug Goodwin. Cremation has taken place.
He died March 23, 2002, at his home.
He was born Jan. 22, 1923, in Powell, the son of William and Mary (Urmson) Robertson; and was raised and educated in Sheridan schools.
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 6 1/2 years in the Pacific and European theaters under Gen. George S. Patton. He was captured in Germany and was a prisoner-of-war, then was honorably discharged in November 1945.
He returned to Sheridan and met Laura Trollan in December 1945. They were married in June 1946.
In 1947, they moved to Fresno, Calif., where he attended Fresno Junior College and worked at Getchell's GMC Trucks. In 1950, the family returned to Wyoming and he worked with his in-laws, Joe and Myrtle Trollan, at Joe's Place in Leiter.
They returned to California in 1953 and he worked at Getchell's. In 1959, the couple returned to Leiter to buy Joe's Place.
In 1966, they bought a ranch at Clearmont and in 1972, sold Joe's Place. They retired from ranching in 1977.
Following retirement, the couple traveled to Arizona in the winters and also lived in Sheridan. In 1980, they relocated permanently to Sheridan.
He enjoyed the outdoors, especially the mountains, hunting, fishing,
gardening and bird-watching. A silversmith and lapidarist, he was a lifetime
member of Elks Lodge 520, American Legion and Big Horn Mountain Polka Club.
Survivors include his wife of Sheridan; son, Daniel Robertson, and his wife of Olympia, Wash.; sister, Alice Ketron, and her husband of Sheridan; brother, Gale "Smokey" Robertson of Yakima, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Francis "Bud" and Earl "Gene."
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to B.P.O Elks Lodge 520, in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan 82801.
Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.