Raymond Bernard Scherer, 89, of Delta, Colo. a former Olney resident, passed away Saturday August 19, 2006 in Manchester, Conn.

Ray Scherer was born on June 18, 1917 in Richland County near Olney, to Christian and Dixie (Hanes) Scherer. He spent his childhood on the farm, graduating from Olney Township High School in 1936. After working in a theater in Gary, Ind. he moved to Spokane, Wash., took flying lessons and studied aeronautical engineering, and entered the Army Air Corps (today the Air Force) in 1940.

He oversaw aircraft maintenance in Port of Oran, Algeria during the North Africa Campagin of World War II. Ray received the European, Aftican, Middle Eastern and American Campaign Medals, the World War II Victor Medal, Good Conduct Medal and an Honorable Service commendation, and retired a 2nd lieutenant in 1945.

Ray then opened a lamp-making shop in San Francisco and married Nancy Wright of Chicago, in 1950. He graduated from Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Los Angeles in 1951. Ray and Nancy lived in Olney for a year when daughter, JoAnn was born before moving to Glenwood Springs, Colo. In 1969, the family moved to Delta, Colo. where Ray was the Driver's License Examiner until he retired in 1982. He lived in Delta, Colo. for 37 years.

Ray was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Delta. He was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Ray is survived by his daughter, JoAnn Gonzales; niece, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years in 2005; his parents; sisters, Aileen, Lelia and Edna; and brother, Byron.