Ray Witt

September 17, 1937 - December 24, 2020

Ray Bond Witt, 83, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020 after a short illness. Ray was born on September 17, 1937 in Hartford, IL to James Marion & Julia (Bond) Witt. After high school he joined the United Stated Air Force and was stationed at Sonderstromfjord, Greenland where he also played basketball for the Air Force. After returning home from the Air Force he joined his brother in the Construction business and was part owner of M.U. Witt Construction. Ray married Emma Geraldine Ensley on April 16, 1960, they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Ray was a member of the Bethalto Masonic Lodge #406 and gave of his time to anyone that asked. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and most of all going and watching his grandchildren play sports. He never missed one game. He loved deeply and always gave and never wanted anything in return, he was proud of his family and he made it known that he loved them. Besides his wife he is survived by his children, Jeff (Deb) Witt, Cindy (Steve) Shaw and Doug (Laurie) Witt. Grandchildren, Alex, Scott and Jenna Witt, Zachary, Alexis, Joshua and Katelyn Shaw and Joey and Emma Witt. Brothers, Ben Witt, Gary (Elanie) Witt, and sister-in-law Kathleen Ensley and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister June Ellen, brothers, Aaron Dean, James and Marion Witt, brother-in-law Edgar Ensley and sister-in-laws Aileen, Barbara Francis, Barbara Rose and Caroline Witt. A Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of Masonic Rights at 10:30 on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Emmanuel Free Methodist Church. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am at Emmanuel Free Methodist Church on Fosterburg Road with Pastor Mark Scandrett officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials may be given to Emmanuel Free Methodist Church. Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto will oversee arrangements.