Grand Blanc - Howell, Rayford Matthew, of Flushing, age 91, died Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Hyde Park Assisted Living. Committal services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Great Lakes National Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

Rayford was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 24, 1933, the son of Homer and Ellen (Shanks) Howell. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the USS Frank Knox and also attended the University of Michigan. Rayford married Wilma Jean Blakley on June 22, 1963, in Jackson, Michigan. They moved to Traverse in 1977, and raised their family there. Ray played football in school and later played softball and was a ski instructor. He was an active outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. Ray earned his CPCU designation and worked as an Insurance Agent, ultimately retiring from Ford Insurance Agency in Traverse City. He and his wife were faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was an Elder, a Sunday School teacher and Director of Education, and served on the Evangelism Board. Ray also worked for FEMA, travelling the country with his first experience being clean-up in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Ray and Jean also enjoyed taking several months to travel to and throughout Alaska. Ray was a member of the Traverse City Kiwanis Club. As a former Post Commander of Traverse City VFW, Post 35, he was very active in the Honor Guard. He was delighted to take part of the Honor Flight to Washington DC in May of 2019.

Rayford is survived by his three daughters, Jillynn (Mike) Tremblay, Angela (Rich) Sorgenfrei, Rachel Schuler; grandchildren, Braden Tremblay, Melia Sorgenfrei, Ryan Sorgenfrei; sister, Mary (Court) Nighswander; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma "Jean" on June 7, 2022; son-in-law, Travis Schuler; brothers, Ronnie Howell, Jim Howell; sister, Cathy Hart; and his parents.