E. "Ray" Witt

Ernest. “Ray” Witt, 75, of Winnebago, passed away Thursday, June 4th 2015, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Cedar, IA, on May 11th, 1940; to parents Ernest W. & Mildred “Fern” Witt. He attended Moravia High-school, in Iowa. Ray proudly served his country in the United States Navy, after enlisting in 1958. Ray was a stunt driver for Trans World Auto Dare Devils, he traveled all over the United States doing what he loved the most, Driving and entertaining the crowds with his drastic and dangerous stunts. On March 4th, 1965 in Rockford, IL, Ray married the love of his life Janice M. Ruggles and devoted his life to making her happy for over 50 years of marital bliss. Ray worked at Rockford College, as Building Maintenance Supervisor, before retiring in 1993. Ray loved NASCAR, and basically anything that had an engine in it. He has raced many cars in his day professionally and recreationally, racing was in his blood. He also owned Witt's Trucking Company in Rockford. Janice and Ray, lived in Texas for a period of time, where Ray worked at Texas A&M University as an OSHA inspector for multiple years. Ray was a family man who loved his children and grandchildren with all of his heart. He lived everyday to the fullest and his presence was always known whenever he went out in public. Full of laughter and jokes it was never a dull moment around him.

Ray survived by his wife, Janice; sons, Billy & Tony Witt, of Rockford; daughters, Kathy (Jerry) Myers, Deanna (Lyle) Wiersema of Belvidere, and Lisa Ray Witt; grandchildren, Jason, Shelley, Jarrad, and Kascey, all of Rockford; brother, Paul ( Linda) Witt, of Centerville, IA; sister, Loretta (Richard) Linders, of Eveleth MN; and several nieces and nephews.

Ray is predeceased by his parents. Ray's mother, Mildred passed away just ten minutes prior Ray, in Centerville Iowa. She is protecting him in the heavens just like she has in life here on Earth.

“Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul”- Jim Valvano Rest in peace and in loving memory, you will never be forgotten.

Ray did not want to dwell on death but rather celebrate life, a family gathering will be planned on a future date.