Raymond Oliver Pyles
Raymond Oliver Pyles
Raymond Oliver Pyles, 87, of Belpre, Ohio, passed away April 18, 2025, at Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, West Virginia. He was born on Jan. 19, 1938, in Fairmont, West Virginia, a son of the late Raymond N. and Margaret (Prickett) Pyles.
He graduated in 1956 from Corbin High School in Kentucky. His father’s employment moved the family from Corbin, but Ray stayed to complete his senior year and was an exemplary student. At a 2019 high school reunion, the mayor of Corbin commissioned Ray a “Corbin Colonel.”.
Ray graduated from Marietta College in 1970 earning his bachelor’s degree attending night school classes while employed at the Treasury Department, Bureau of Public Debt. He earned his master’s degree at Marshall University in Huntington.
After graduation in 1970, Ray was employed at the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland but left to pursue his goal, a career in education. Ray was employed in the Wood County School System for 38 years as a teacher, then Assistant Vocational Director until retirement in June 2010.
Civic-minded, Ray was President of the Fraternal Order of Police Associates; was a member of Parkersburg Downtown Kiwanis Club; and a member of the Rotary Club of Belpre as coordinator of speaker engagements.
He recently received recognition for his 50-year membership in the Belpre Masonic Lodge No. 609 in an awards ceremony at the Lodge.
Ray was a Shriner, member of the Aladdin Temple of Columbus, Ohio, since December 1975.
Ray belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Parkersburg Council 594, Parkersburg.
He was a life member, 67-year member, of Parkersburg Elks Lodge No. 198, and was an Exalted Ruler three times. Ray was twice awarded the coveted Elk of the Year Award.
Music was important to Ray. He played tuba in high school. At home, he played trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, guitar and drums. At St. Michael Church, he played bass guitar in the Folk Group. Most memorable was his singing performance with St. Michael Folk Group.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Janice Norita (Hibbitts) Pyles, brother, Carl Pyles (Sandra), Newark, OH, sister, Debra Coleman (Jerry), Huntington, WV, sister-in law, Bettie Pyles, niece, Jessica Strimel, step-niece, Deborah Cain, and two great-nieces, Sophie Kossoff and Ava Strimel; and an extended, loving family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Walter; niece, Dee Kossoff; and sister-in-law, Norma Null.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 1, 2025, 10 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church with Father John R. Gallagher as celebrant. He will be buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Parkersburg. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6-8 p.m. at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg. After visitation, there will be an Elks Memorial Service, followed by traditional Masonic Rites at 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to donate to the charity of your choice in Raymond’s memory.