Obituary of Raymond Wesley Stilborn

Ray Stilborn was cleared for take-off on his final flight on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the age of 97 years, 10 months. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Beth, and will have been joyously greeted by his wife Lilian, who died November 14, 2010. Family that remain are brother Clarence Stilborn (Jean), sister-in-law Myra Stilborn, sister-in-law Mary Beavis; nieces and nephews Jack Stilborn (Linda) and children, Joyce Stilborn, Beverley (Dwayne) Brenna and their children, whom Ray considered honourary grandsons? Wilson, Eric and Connor; Elaine Weston (Mike), children and grandchildren, Lorne Stilborn (Georgie), Alex Stilborn (Debbie), children and grandchildren; Sandra Manning (Preston), children and grandchildren, Lesley Carter (Ralph), children and grandchildren, Louise Harrison, children and grandchildren, Marian Stuffco, children and grandchild; Mary Ann Beavis, Ronald Beavis (Wendy) and son, Sylvia Hendrickson (Patrick), children and grandchildren, as well as many cousins and friends. Waiting to meet Ray on his final approach are his wife, Lilian, his parents, John Willie and Jeanie Stilborn, brothers and sisters-in-law Arthur, Jack (Mabel), Wilson (Phyllis), Ernest, and Charles Edgar (infant brother), brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Alvin (Anne) Beavis and Gordon Beavis, as well as nephews Greg Stilborn and Brian Harrison. Ray was born on March 16, 1913, second of a family of seven boys (six of whom lived to adulthood). Growing up on the family farm near Finnie, Saskatchewan, and being part of a close-knit community at Pheasant Forks, left him with a love of the land, of family, of nature, of community, and of service that were all a part of him his entire life. Ray farmed with his father and brothers until the beginning of World War II. He joined the R.C.A.F as an aero-engine mechanic in 1940 and was stationed first in England, later in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where he spent the rest of the war as part of 413 Squadron, working on PBY Catalina Flying Boats, an aircraft for which he held a great affection for the rest of his life. After the war, Ray returned to the farm, working with those of his brothers who were still at home. In 1954, during one of his winter stays in Vancouver, he met Lilian Beavis and they were married in October of that year. They farmed just across the section from Rays parents for several years, raising their only daughter Beth on that farm. In 1972, we three? as the family called themselves, moved to Regina, where Ray and Lilian spent the rest of their lives. Ray worked for a time at Inland Metal, farming on the weekends, then went back to farming full time, commuting from Regina. When Ray was in his sixties, he finally realized his lifelong dream of flying, received his private pilots licence, and bought a Piper Cherokee 150, in which he logged many happy flying hours. After retiring and selling the farm, Ray began going to the Regina Flying Club every weekday morning for coffee, and made many good friends there. Ray became quite outgoing in later years, chatting with anyone who happened along, and many peoples lives were enriched by his friendship. Ray made it his lifes work to live out in practice the family motto? Any good or kind thing that I can do, let me not defer, nor neglect to do it now, for I shall not pass this way again. A fall on October 30, 2008, and consequent broken hip, changed Rays life forever, and he spent his last years in the Veterans Unit of Wascana Rehabilitation Hospital. Beth would like to express her deep gratitude to all the nurses staff on Unit 3-5, as well as to Dr. Murray Newton, for their compassionate care. A Memorial Service will be held at Broadway United Church, 105 Broadway Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. with Jim Balfour officiating. Interment of both Rays and Lilians ashes will be held at Pheasant Forks Cemetery in spring. Memorial donations may be made to Nature Canada (Donor Services, Nature Canada, 75 Albert St., Suite 300, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5E7); Broadway United Church, Regina; or a charity of your choice.