Butler, Raymond S. “Ray”

Orrville — Raymond S. “Ray” Butler, age 47, of Orrville, died Friday, February 19, 2021, at Aultman Orrville Hospital in Orrville, following a period of declining health.

Ray was born on March 27, 1973, in Wooster, to Russell and Jean “Colleen” (McComas) Butler, graduated from Triway High School in 1991, and married Ruth A. Whalen on July 13, 1996, in Wooster.

He received training certifications for firefighting, welding and fabrication, which were his career passions. He most recently worked as a Maintenance Supervisor for an apartment complex in Elyria for the last year, retiring due to health in 2020.

Ray was a member of Orrville Baptist Church and the Orrville Wrestling Board where he formerly served as the Orrville Youth Wrestling Coach. He enjoyed fishing, working on race cars, including his own, and loved working at Hilltop Speedway in the summers. His greatest joy was sharing time with his family and incorporating family time with his hobbies. Ray was known for joking and being quite a prankster, but was also just as much known for his big heart and willingness to help anyone.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth Butler; daughter, Elizabeth “Liza” Butler; and son, Kollen Butler, all of Orrville; sister, Jeanette (Matthew) Airwyke of Wooster; father-in-law, Randall (Margaret) Whalen and mother-in-law, Ruth (Jay) Johnston, both of Orrville; brother-in-law, Randall Whalen, Jr. and sister-in-law, Rhiannon (James) Whalen-Harris, both of Wooster; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jeff and Rusty Butler; and a nephew, Jared Butler.

Friends may call on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Brad Dews officiating and will be live streamed at facebook.com/AubleFuneralHome. Burial will take place at the Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Wooster.

Visitors are asked to wear masks, practice social distancing, and adhere to posted signs and spacing limitations. Seating may be limited.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to defray funeral costs c/o Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, OH, 44667.

Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.