Ray Middlesworth, 91, a retired electrical contractor from Shelby and a World War II Army Air Corps pilot, died peacefully Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, at Marias Medical Center in Shelby.

"Ole Ray's' final prayers were answered when he was allowed to slip his bond with Earth after 91 years of good living, good friends and good customers.

He loved his kids and extended family and is ever so happy to be reunited with his "blonde bomber" wife, Phyllis. Rest assured they are once again dancing cheek to cheek.

No doubt his proudest accomplishment was being a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Ray's greatest joy was flying.

It took him 13 years to figure out farming wasn't his forte. As a master electrician and electrical contractor, he met and befriended hundreds of people in Toole and surrounding counties and ran miles of electrical wire in various establishments and homes. He literally lit the place up.

Ray enjoyed traveling, seeing new things, going to air shows, panning for gold and, of course, drinking coffee and eating good cookies.

Survivors include his sister, Mary Burns, of Cut Bank; his son, Steve Middlesworth, of Kalispell; and his daughter, Michele Middlesworth, of Broomfield, Colo.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Norley, of Conrad; his parents, Lloyd and Elizabeth (Bender) Middlesworth, of Shelby; and his younger brother, Herb.

Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Whitted Funeral Chapel. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Community United Methodist Church. Burial with military honors at Mountain View Cemetery will follow the service.

Condolences may be posted at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.