William Hettic

William Raymond Hettic, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend passed into the loving arms of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior on July 31st at Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo.

He was born January 6, 1925, in Liberal, Kansas to Willam B. and Gertrude Hettic. He graduated from Liberal high school in 1942. In June 1943, he joined the US Army Air Corps and after training, he was assigned to the 49th Air Service Group. Ray trained as a photo lab technician, serving in England and France. Often times when Ray would reminisce about his military service, he would share about flying over France during the Normandy invasion. Discharged in Dec of 1945, he returned to Liberal where he met & married the love of his life, Myra Gene Arrington.

Resuming residence in Liberal, Ray worked as a salesman and parts manager & later owner of Hettic Appliance. After selling the business, Ray became a Certified Investment Advisor before retiring.

He was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Liberal, and active involved in Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce (where he received the 2008 Merit Award for lifetime achievement), Highway 54 Committee, and American Legion. Ray received numerous awards for his many years of service to his beloved community. Ray and Myra also represented liberal in Olney, England as part of the Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake day Races, where he also received their Hall of Fame Award for outstanding service and continued support.

However, Ray's real strength was that of a loving and caring husband and father. Ray's extensive photo collections depict an active, outdoor oriented family. There were ski trips and camping in the Rockies, sailing, swimming and water skiing in oceans and lakes. Every member of the family lovingly remembers their own favorite vacation… all different but with a consistent theme of a family of love and togetherness.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Willam B. & Gertrude Hettic and his son Michael Hettic.

William Ray is survived by: his wife of 68 years, Myra Hettic of Overland Park, Kansas; two daughters, Cheri Vrbenec (Norm) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Sandy Bonar, (Don) of Prairie Village, Kansas; his son Matthew Hettic (Amanda) also of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his grandsons , Adam Vrbenec of Fairway, Kansas. Aaron Vrbenec (Jami) & their children, his great grandchildren, Sophia and William of Edmond, Oklahoma. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed, not only by his wife, children, and family, but also by many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation, 6405 Metcalf Ave #204, Overland Park, KS 66202.