Raymond E. Wyatt's Obituary
Decatur- Raymond Wyatt, 77 of Decatur passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012 at home with his family by his side.
A service to celebrate the life of Ray will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. A visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Entombment with Military Honors and “Flight Home” ceremony will take place at the Star of Hope Mausoleum in Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to The CCSCI Charitable Fund.http://www.cancercarespecialists.org/pdf/CCSCI_Charitable_Fund_brochure_2009.pdf.
Ray was born May 29, 1934 in Danville, Illinois the son of Herbert and Mabel Wyatt. He married Karen Holmes in San Diego, California on April 4, 1959. Ray graduated from Danville High School in 1952, from the United States Naval Academy in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, and from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1963 with a Master of Science degree in Physics.
Following graduation from the Naval Postgraduate School, Ray was assigned command of the USS Whitehall (PCE-856) based in Cleveland, Ohio. After two years of leading Naval Reserve training cruises on the Great Lakes, Ray was transferred to upstate New York for nuclear training at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. He then began his distinguished career as a nuclear submariner by serving on the USS Snook (SSN-592) as the Engineering Officer, on the USS Aspro (SSN-648) as the Executive Officer, and finally on the USS Bergall (SSN-667) as the Commanding Officer. In 1976, after 4 years at the helm of Bergall, Ray was promoted to Captain and transferred to the Pentagon. While in Washington, he contributed to several advanced research programs, including the development and deployment of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. After 30 years of service to his country at the height of the Cold War, Ray retired from the Navy in 1983 to begin his second career at Illinois Power in Decatur. During his 13 years at Illinois Power, Ray oversaw the construction, certification, and operation of the Clinton Nuclear Power Station before retiring in 1996. After retirement, he worked as a consultant to nuclear power stations around the country.
In his retirement, Ray spent time volunteering at the Macon County Health Department while pursuing his interests and skills in woodworking, astronomy, travel, home construction projects, mathematics (by predicting the Cub's win/loss record), and cruising on Lake Decatur. Ray’s favorite part of retirement was spending time as a loving father, grandfather, husband, and a good friend to many. His humor, smile, and positive attitude leaves a lasting impression on all who knew him, and his memory will always be cherished.
Ray is survived by his wife of 53 years, son; Stephen (Donna) Wyatt of Jericho, VT, daughter; Mari (David) Swift of Crystal Lake, brothers; Bob (Pat) Wyatt of Charleston, SC, and Bill (Nancy) Wyatt of Covington, IN, grandchildren; Lindsey, Elise, Colleen, Ben, and Evan, and nieces and nephews; Billy, Jim, Don, Suzanne, John, Jill, Sheri, Susan, Christie, Brian, Melanie, Donald, and Tamara.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and son Mark.
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