Ray A. Hilts

Ray A. Hilts

Ray A. Hilts, 78, of Parsons, died at 10:21 a.m., Monday, Dec. 29, 2014 in the emergency room of Labette Health in Parsons. Death was unexpected.

He was born March 23, 1936, in the rural Cherryvale area, to Russell C. and Bernice M. (Gill) Hilts. He grew up in Cherryvale and graduated from high school there in 1954.

In 1957 he married Peggy Gentry and they became parents of two daughters, Connie and Debra. Later they divorced.

Ray and Carol (McGowen) Sears were married October 10, 1975, in Erie, and she survives.

When he was just out of high school he worked for the H.D. Lee Co-op in Neodesha. Later, he was employed by the E. J. Peck Cattle Co. and then the American Dairy in Erie. In 1975 he began ranching and in 1977 attended an auctioneering school. He worked for the Erie Grain Co. five years and then began employment with Beachner's ordering and buying cattle. He was with that company 28 years.

He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie. He enjoyed playing cards, being with his grandchildren and riding horses.

Survivors are wife, Carol A. Hilts of the home; two daughters, Connie Fail and her husband Gary of Chanute, and Debra Hilts of Fort Scott; three sons, Clinton Sears and his companion Kathy, of Parsons, Todd Sears and his wife Vickie of Augusta and Troy Sears and his wife Tamara of Parsons; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie. Burial, at a later date, will be in the Shaw Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Friday at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home at Erie, with visitation following. Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 a.m. Friday. Memorials are suggested to the St. Ambrose Catholic Church or the Erie American Legion Rodeo. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 182, Erie, KS 66733.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.