Raymond Eugene Hilts

November 23,1936-May 1, 2026

Raymond Eugene Hilts was born in Raymond, Washington on November 23, 1936 to Tom and

Ella Hilts of Willapa. He was named after his Uncle Ray Stabenow.

Ray started school in the Willapa Valley School District, graduating from high school in 1955.

He was very active in 4-H and played sports; football, basketball and track. He participated in

state tournaments, was active in band and in many other school activities. He attended Central

Washington University and played football while there.

Ray proudly served six years in the U. S. Army with an honorable discharge as an E-6.

In 1960, he married Beverly Renneberg of Selah, WA. They moved to Oregon and made their

home in the Gresham area where Ray was in the insurance business with several companies,

including his own company. Beverly passed away from cancer in 1989.

Ray and Bev raised their two boys, Ronald and Timothy, enjoying many activities together. Ray

coached and umpired little league baseball during those years. Ron sadly passed away in 2001

at age 47 and Tim in 2015 at age 49.

Ray later moved to Albany, Oregon and continued his career in the insurance business. There

he met his current wife, Shirley, daughter of Marden and Emogene Ross of Albany.

Ray left a great legacy of volunteerism. He was deeply involved in his community and impacted

many lives. He was a mentor for the Teen Center. He was very active in the Optimist Club

serving as Governor and spent many hours in the Lions Club. He was honored in 2004 with the

Albany Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award.

When he and Shirley weren’t traveling, he would volunteer at the Albany Historical Carousel in

downtown Albany. He especially enjoyed helping children onto the carousel animals and

watching their joy as they rode. Ray took great pride in being part of such a unique and

cherished community project.

Ray attended the Methodist church in Albany making coffee every Sunday. Ray always had a

joke or story to tell. True to his love of sports, he was a long-time Trailblazer fan and an avid

Oregon State Beavers season ticket holder.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his sisters, Liz Hilts Ingalsbe of Bonney Lake WA and Alberta

Hilts Robinson of Bremerton WA, his brothers-in-law Bob Robinson, Bremerton WA and Bob

Ross. Albany OR, his stepchildren, Leslie Ferguson and Russell Autry, and many nieces,

nephews, grandchildren, and extended family and friends.