COLONEL RAYMOND W. HENDERSON RET. Col. Raymond Walter Henderson Ret. "Ray" died February 12, 2011 of natural causes at the age of 89 in Boise, Idaho surrounded by his family. Ray was born January 11, 1922, in Waukegan, Illinois. Although he had a childhood and adolescence marked by hardship, through strength of will and character he fashioned a wonderful life. A desire to be a pilot led him to join the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was only 17- the same year Canada joined the fight against Hitler in WWII. While in service there he fell in love with and married his first wife, Lynne Bothwell of North Bay, Ontario who at the time was serving as a nurse. Their tale was a true wartime love story that would grow into a marriage of more than fifty years and bring them two sons, Phillip and Gregory. Ray joined the US Air Force in 1944 and together the family traveled the country and the world as Ray served in a total of three wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam (where he flew over 100 missions). His service was exemplary and resulted in numerous promotions, honors and awards. These include: the Legion of Merit, a Korean Service Medal, two Air Force Presidential Unit Citations, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal and many others. Ray would be the first to admit he was a lucky man. He pursued the life he desired and more often than not realized his dreams. More at home in an airplane than perhaps any other place, he was truly "born to fly." After the unexpected loss of Lynne, whom he would always miss, he met and married another amazing Canadian woman, Joan Niles on April 8, 1997. The two made the most of their later years together, often traveling to visit loved ones and enjoying day-to-day life surrounded by sun and friends in Vero Beach, Florida where they made a home. Joan died June 21, 2009, at the age of 84. "Lynne", Lillian Ruth Henderson, died July 22, 1995 at the age of 72. Ray was also preceded in death by his two sons, Phillip Henderson (May 22, 2004) at the age of 61, his younger son, Greg Henderson (July 9, 2010) at the age of 64, and his grandson Oliver Henderson (July 7, 2001) at the age of 22. The "Colonel" as his family and friends lovingly referred to him, will be sorely missed. He was a true gentleman. Services will be held at noon at St. Michael's Cathedral in Boise Idaho on May 27, 2011, followed by a graveside ceremony at the Idaho State Veteran Cemetery on Horseshoe Bend Road. paid obituary