Mr. Rayford C. "Ray" Hurtte, 98, of Taylorville, Illinois, passed away at 5:38am on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at his home.

He was born in Gadsden, Alabama on September 13, 1917.  His family moved to the Midwest when he was a young boy.  Most of his life has been spent in Taylorville and he graduated from Taylorville High School.  He was a WWII veteran, having served in the Army Air Force.  On April 18, 1940, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Chlebus, and they were married over 72 years.  She preceded him in death on September 20, 2012.  He worked for over 30 years for Peabody Coal Company, retiring in 1979 as Assistant Vice-President of Operations.

He was the father of three children: Judy (the late Daniel) Pittenger of Richfield, Wisconsin; Jim (Donna) Hurtte of Evansville, Indiana; and Janet (Jim) Nash of Decatur, Illinois.  He was the proud grandfather of thirteen, and great-grandfather of thirty-one.

Rayford always lived life to the fullest, by example, putting others first, with family and friends a priority.  He will be missed by so many.

Visitation will be held at McClure Funeral Home, 302 W Poplar Street, in Taylorville, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, February 4, 2016.  Funeral service will be at 10:00am on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Memories of Ray, or condolences to the family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com