Leslie Ramon “Ray” Hess (aka Raymond, LR), 86, of Falmouth, KY, went to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 12, 2022. He was born to parents Leslie and Ruby Hazel Daugherty Hess in Falmouth, Pendleton County, KY, on July 29, 1935.

Ray grew up in Falmouth, KY, on a dairy farm. The eldest of eight (8) children, Ray learned the virtues of responsibility and hard work even as a child. He was left to help his mother run the farm when his father was stricken with Tuberculosis and quarantined in a sanitarium for about one-and-a-half years.  In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and became a Staff Sergeant.  He then went on to work on the railroad and then as a long-haul truck driver for Mclean Trucking and David Hess Trucking, all the while serving as a reservist in the USAF for 27 Years, 10 Months, and 14 days. He was called up to serve in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Ray had a passion for many things and lived his life to the fullest. In his younger years, he loved traveling on his Indian motorcycle.  One of his favorite hobbies was wood working and he found great joy in crafting furniture for family and friends. He also loved to take his children, friends, and neighbors out during the heat of summer to pick blackberries and then together spend time in the kitchen making blackberry jam or gifting the blackberries to someone to make one of his favorite desserts~~blackberry jam cake. He never ceased to find a new adventure and traveled extensively both with the military and personally.  Ray’s passion for aviation played out when in the ‘70’s he studied and earned his pilot’s license.  This opened even wider the opportunities for travel as he flew family and friends for vacations and many Sunday afternoon plane rides.

Yet, of all the places he traveled, it was his family farm he loved the most. Ray was known for his various innate capabilities.  In addition to agricultural, driving, and woodworking abilities, he demonstrated carpentry skills by remodeling his home in Florence, adding an addition to his parent’s home, and building a home on the family Farm.  Following retirement, he constructed a home for his son and continued to build the final home where he would live out the rest of his days. He spent the following years of retirement serving in his church and always sought any opportunity to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. Ray was known for his generosity, and that often involved food. Most everyone who knew him benefited not only from his love of barbecuing and making homemade ice cream, but also being treated to his favorite restaurant, Jewell’s on Main in Warsaw, for a meal and an evening of fellowship and laughter.

Ray was a member of Williamstown Baptist Church, Pastor Sam Newman, at the time of his passing.  His home church was Short Creek Baptist, and he was a member of Dry Ridge Baptist Church for several years.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Marilyn, a brother Ronnie, and a brother-in-law Paul Porter. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda (Joseph) Smith, sons Ronald (Julie) Hess, and Jerry (Susann) Hess; grandchildren, Andrew Smith, Cassidy (Shane) Smithson, Meghan Hess, Abigail Smith, and Ashtyn Smith; step-great-grandchildren, Logan and Gunner Smithson; siblings Richard Hess, Patricia Porter, David (Marilyn) Hess, Sue (Randy) Bonar, and Rebecca (Willie) Ailstock. In his final days, Ray was so blessed to be cared for by a special family friend, Konnie Kells, making it possible to fulfill his wishes of being in the home he built in the community he so loved, surrounded by a blanket of mid-March snow and many close family, neighbors, and friends.

The family will welcome guests for visitation on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Williamstown Baptist Church located at 500 North Main Street, Williamstown, KY 41097. The service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. with Reverends Roger Colinger and Willie Ailstock officiating.  There will be a fellowship meal at the church prior to the processional.  The internment will be at Short Creek Baptist Cemetery on West State Highway 22 in Falmouth, KY.  Arrangements are entrusted to Elliston-Stanley Funeral Home, Williamstown, Kentucky.

Organist:  Ed Knox.  Media Technician:  Marcia Walters

Pall Bearers:  John Hess, David Martin (Marty) Hess, Chris Hedges, Shane Smithson, Justin Haubner, Will Ailstock, Andrew Smith, Doug Bonar (Honorary), Joseph Smith (Honorary), Cory Hess (Honorary)

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund or Senior’s ministry at Williamstown Baptist Church, 500 North Main Street, Williamstown, KY, 41097.

The Bereavement Ministry at Williamstown Baptist Church will provide a bereavement meal following the service.  For those who would like to bring food and deserts, you are still encouraged do so.  They have requested an estimated number of guests for purposes of preparation.  Everyone is welcome to join us.  If you plan on doing so, please leave a comment and know that your cooperation is appreciated.

Funeral Home Obit:  https://www.stanleyfuneralhomes.com/obituary/leslie-ray-hess

Caring Bridge:  https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lrhess/journal