Allison "Ray" Webber

Ray died peacefully on the morning of February 17 with his loving wife Barbara of 63 years at his side. He was born in Indianapolis to Allison Maxwell Webber and Grace Mae (Powers) Webber. He was greatly loved by his 5 children, Linda R. Summers (Elizabeth Arnott), Steve A. Webber (Vicki), Dennis J. Webber (Bonnie), Denise K. Nix (Charles deceased), Raymond D. Webber; 10 grandchildren (Kevin Webber deceased), 10 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, sister Betty A. Pond and brother Harold Webber (deceased). Ray retired from Western Electric Company (AT&T) as an area installation supervisor after 39 ½ years. He also retired from the U.S. Air Force after 42 years serving as a command pilot, squadron commander and achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in World War II and the Korean War flying planes B-17, C-46, C-47, C-119, L-5 and gliders. He didn't talk about the war and the family recently learned he piloted several dangerous missions. He was a survivor of two flight crashes - an advanced training flight crash in Marfa, Texas, in 1944 and an emergency landing in Roswell, N.M. in 1950. The crash landing in a desert due to engine failure destroyed the aircraft he piloted, however, he and the 38 fully equipped airmen aboard survived. After retirement Ray continued to keep busy - he worked at all the IU athletic events for 24 years; at the IU Kelly School of Business on two Indiana U.S. Censuses; and the Monroe County Auditor's Office (member of the Monroe County Property Tax Board of Review) for 23 years. He volunteered at Bloomington Hospital delivering meals and installing Lifeline equipment for 15 years, the Habitat for Humanity, and gave talks at elementary schools on Veteran's Day. Ray and Barbara traveled extensively visiting over a dozen countries mostly on cruises with friends. He was a life member of the Millersville Masonic Lodge 126, Scottish Rite, Murat Temple Shriners, Military Officers Association, AT&T Telephone Pioneers (past president), Stone Belt Shrine Club, and the American Legion Post 18. He loved life, family, backyard bird watching, gardening, people, and a good 'clean' joke. Visitation will be from 4-8pm Saturday, February 21st at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 South Old Highway 37. Services will be on Sunday, February 22nd at 2pm at the Arlington United Methodist Church, 1820 W. Arlington Road. Burial with Military Rites will be on Monday, February 23rd at 1pm at Clear Creek Cemetery, West Church Lane.

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Allison "Ray" Webber

November 9, 1922 - February 17, 2015