Published in Peoria Journal Star on December 29, 2010 - Raymond Masters Jr., age 83, of Villa Ridge, Ill., died at 1:09 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Ray was born to Raymon and Alice (Hardyman) Masters of Jefferson County, Ill., on May 28, 1927. He grew up around Mount Vernon, Ill., with his brothers and sisters until he entered the services for World War II. He served aboard supply ships in the Pacific Theater. After his service time, he returned to Mount Vernon, where he married Dena Richardson in 1946. Ray and Dena moved to Peoria, Ill., in 1948, where he began a career working for Caterpillar Inc. as a mechanic until his retirement in 1978. He and Dena retired to a small farm outside the town of Villa Ridge, where they enjoyed retirement life until her death in 1980. He enjoyed many hobbies and jobs over the next years until he met and married Martha Welch in June 1984. He and Martha followed many adventures, traveling and enjoying family and friends, as well as sharing in mission work with Parvin and Sandra Hall. He was a member of the River City Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Preceding Ray in death were his parents, two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Martha; son, Steve (Nancy) Masters of Morton, Ill., from his first marriage; daughters, Shirley (Patrick) Watson of Trupe, Texas, and Teresa Leek of Jonesboro, Ill.; son, Elmer (Amy) Welch of Oyster Creek, Texas; brother, Roy Masters; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Ray also served on the Northern Tazewell County Fire Department for 22 years and was a former superintendent for the Meridian Community School District Bus Services in Mounds, Ill. Ray's family appreciates all the thoughts and prayers during the recent weeks. He will be missed by his wife, family and friends. Funeral services for Raymond Masters Jr. will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, with Brother Parvin Hall and Brother Mike Morris officiating. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Pulaski, Ill. Friends may call after 11 a.m. Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill. Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill., is in charge of the arrangements.