Edwin W. Ray, a longtime resident of Atmore and member of First United Methodist Church, passed away on Feb. 26, 2015, at the William F. Green Veterans home in Bay Minette.

He was born to Eunice and W. Morton Rayon on June 1, 1927, in Phoenix City. Ed served in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist’s mate and was honorably discharged in July of 1946. He then attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, and graduated in Pharmacy in 1949. He moved to Dothan and practiced at a local pharmacy, where he met his wife Jeanette Spooner. They married on July 2, 1950. Ed and Jeanette were married for 63 years until her death in 2013.

Ed served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in March 1954. After his discharge, he worked for 17 years in pharmaceutical sales, sales management, and product management for E.R. Squibb & Sons.

In 1967, Ed bought Greenlawn Pharmacy in Atmore and practiced there for the remainder of his career. He was active in the Lions Club, served as president, and was also president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1972. Ed served on the Alabama Board of Pharmacy for five years, and was president for two years. Ed received the Bowl of Hygeia award from the American Pharmaceutical Association and A.H. Robbins, 1985, in acknowledgment of his service to his community and profession.

Ed is survived by his three children, Kathy Hasty of Pinehurst, N.C., Joe Ray of Montrose and Mary Jean Crane of Plantation, Fla.; six grandchildren, Brandi Schwartz, Sherri Ivey, Emily Ray, Ben Ray, Allen Ray and Matthew Crane; two great-grandchildren, Raygan Schwartz and Leighanne Ivey; and two brothers, Jim Ray of Dothan and Joe B. Ray, M.D., of Mobile.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 28, at noon from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore.

Honorary pallbearers were Matthew Crane, Ben Ray, Allen Ray, Jimmy Crook, Gene West and Clint Smith.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc., was in charge of arrangements.