Raymond Nathaniel Mountford Sr., 95, of Mathews and Virginia Beach, died on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, following a short illness.

Ray was born on Dec. 5, 1924 in Norfolk. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a Gunner’s Mate, achieving the rank of Senior Chief before retiring in 1973.

After his military service, he worked six years as a machinist in the Newport News Shipyard. He then went to work as a tool room mechanic in the Ordnance Department at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, retiring on April 29, 1989. 

Ray was a Freemason from 1962 until his death, serving as Worshipful Master at Oriental Lodge in 1985, Botetourt Lodge in 1994 and 2000, and the Donovan Lodge in 2003. He was raised in the Corinthian Lodge in Norfolk, and he later also joined the Lynnhaven Lodge. He was District Deputy Grand Master during 1978-1979.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Elizabeth Mountford, and his parents, John and Lottie Mountford, as well as his siblings, Paul, Ruby Roberts, Elmer Spencer, and Martha Norris. He was also preceded in death by a son, John Timothy.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and his three sons, Ray Jr. (Lori), William (MeHyun), and James; his daughters, Laura Smith (Wayne) and Barbara Stegman (Mark).  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kyle, Nathan, Justin, April (Leo), Jeff, Amber, Bobbie, Alexis and Veronica, and a great-grandchild, Avery. Also surviving him are Evelyn’s daughters, Kevin and Ann, and their children, Brandt, Krista, Paige, Ryan, and Whitney.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at Central United Methodist Church in Mathews. Interment with full military honors and masonic rites followed at Windsor Gardens Cemetery and Mausoleum, Dutton.

Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, assisted the family.