Raymond H. Hays

Raymond H. Hays 92 of East Peoria Illinois died at 1:05am Thursday March 15th at Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka. He was born March 20, 1919 in Louisville Kentucky, the son of WR and Edna Mae(Steilberg) Hays. He married Winifred Swearingen on May 24, 1957 in Lincoln, Illinois. He is survived by his wife, cousins Stephen Steilberg, Alan (Lucy) Steilberg, Becky Otson, brother-in-law James (Grace) Swearingen and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Arthur. He was a WWII Airforce Veteran, assigned to (involved with ) Chemical Warfare serving in the European and North Africa Theaters. Ray received his Master?s degree from the University of Kentucky as a Metallurgical Engineer. He worked in the Mining and Metals Division of Caterpillar Tractor Company for many years as manager of Metallurgy & Materials Engineering Division. He was an (active) member of many organizations including American Society for Metals, Society of automotive Engineers, American Institute of Mining & Metallurgical Engineers, American Welding Society and was a Registered Professional Engineer. Visitation will be Saturday March 17, 2012 at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel from 2pm until 4pm. Private burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Bradford, Illinois. In lieu of flowers the family wishes wishes contributions be made to Apostolic Christian Home Eureka for the Heiterland Unit. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com