William “Ray” Underwood

Alaska resident William “Ray” Underwood, 81, died Sept. 19, 2011, at Golden Pond Assisted Home Care in Houston from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ray was born on July 3, 1930, in Thornton, Ark., to Coy and Mary Underwood.

He served in the U.S. Army, 505th Artillery Division as a radio operator during the Korean War.

He married Doris Joy Aldridge on Dec. 25, 1953, in Camden, Ark.

He worked for Federal Aviation Administration as a civil servant in the Weather Service Branch and retired in 1989 after 30 years.

Ray learned to enjoy the outdoors at an early age. He loved fishing and hunting.

According to his family, “Ray worked hard all of his life and enjoyed every minute of it. He was caring and generous to all who knew him.”

Ray was a member of Schrock Road Community Church.

Ray is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Rodney Kovtynovich of Wasilla; two sons and daughter-in-laws, Bill and Donna Underwood of Wichita Falls, Texas and Tim and Lori Underwood of Raeford, N.C.; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Anastacia and Kaylie Aposik of Wasilla; Lucas and Alora Kovtynovich of Fairbanks; Amy Underwood of Dallas, Texas; Alicia and Drew Pond of Wisconsin; and Sam Underwood of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Graveside services are at 11 a.m., Sept. 23 at the Shiloh Cemetery in Waldo, Ark.

Local arrangements entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.