Mr. Ray Kenneth Binnion's Obituary
Ray Kenneth Binnion, age 92, passed away on October 5, 2015. He was born on March 2, 1923, the first of 12 children born to Ray Allen Binnion and Lula Gertrude Dycus Binnion.
Ray served proudly in World War II and made sure that everyone knew that he and his buddies in the 71st did reconnaissance work in German territory and pushed further East than any of the Allied troops as the war came to an end.
After returning from the war, Ray married Mary Alice Minchey, and the marriage endured for the next 68 years. Both of them had grown up in Willette and were graduates of Red Boiling Springs High School. They moved to Nashville and eventually settled in Madison, where Ray and his family started a business, Modern Improvement Company, which made use of Ray’s extraordinary skills at construction and remodeling. He operated the business for 30 years before selling it in 1994.
Ray and Mary developed a passion for road trips. Together, they drove through all the States and Canada. They also visited nine countries in their long life together.
Faith was important to Ray. He was a member of the Neely’s Bend Church of Christ for over 50 years.
Ray was an accomplished artist, too. His oil paintings were displayed at galleries, and he often won awards. He was also quite a storyteller. Many people were influenced by Ray, his advice, and his stories. He held his audience in rapt attention, and as the hook of the story drew close, he would grin mischievously with anticipation. His family says that Ray never met a stranger and would talk to anyone.
Calm and independent, Ray enjoyed hunting and fishing, going to garage sales, and tending to the neighborhood garden.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his siblings, Ruth Binnion Dycus, Bill Binnion, Charles Binnion, John Binnion, Bobby Binnion, and Don Binnion.
Ray is survived by his loving wife, Mary Alice Binnion; daughter, Donna Lynn Binnion Smith (Larry); grandchildren, Jared Brandon Smith, Jordan Andrew Smith, and Jenny Rebecca Smith; great-grandsons, Canaan Samuel Smith and Harper Gabriel Smith; siblings, Paul Binnion, Melba Gammons, Connie Bush, Barbara McDonald, and Jane Stanford; as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, October 8, 2015, from 4pm until 8pm at Spring Hill Funeral Home. Additional visitation will take place on Friday, October 9, 2015, from 1pm until 2pm. Funeral services will be held immediately following Friday’s visitation, at 2pm from the Chapel of Spring Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, with family and friends serving as Pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society. Contributions can be made online by going to https://donate.cancer.org/index, or you may direct your contribution to The American Cancer Society, Nashville at 2000 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
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