Raymond LeRoy Young, age 83, of Stone Lake, WI, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Raymond was born February 18, 1941 in Corning, NY. He was the son of George and Dorthea (Melton) Young.

Ray lived a very full life. On June 15, 1959, Ray was united in marriage with Linda White, and married for over 65 years. The father of eight children, Ray and his wife Linda worked hard to provide for their family. He graduated with a welding degree from the Superior, WI, technical school, then worked for many years in the logging industry running his own business and then the Lac Courte Oreilles Logging Corporation before taking on a supervisory job in maintenance at the LCO Casino for several years.

A fearless adrenaline junky, Ray was also a champion snowmobile and dirt track racer, who began competing at the age of twenty-two in a career that lasted nearly 30 years. He was well-known for his driving skill and served as the Rice Lake Speedway president for one year.

In addition to racing, Ray enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed raising chickens. In his later years, he added canning and cooking to his skillset, always making sure no one left his home without being fed. As the years passed and Ray slowed down physically, his persistence was as strong as ever. It might have taken him longer, but he never stopped until the job was done.

As a young man, Ray had a larger-than-life, fiery personality. He weathered many losses but remained strong and constant. In his later years, he became a softer, gentler version of himself. He loved to nurture and as he said, “watch things grow”, and he never missed an opportunity to tease his grandchildren. He also had a soft spot for animals and especially loved his dog, Little Bit.

Ray is survived by his wife Linda; his children George (Peggy) Young, Raymond (Sheila) Young, Jr., Vicki Besaw; and Dean (Angel) Young; 41 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his father George Young, and mother Dorthea Young; and children Annette (Young) Sheffield, Lorne Young, Todd Young, and Bradley Young; and two grandchildren Dana Young and Ashley Young.

Tribal Funeral Rites will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward. Gary Quaderer Sr. will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Honorary casket bearers will be Codii Young, Scott Young, Matthew Young, Shawn Young & Travis Young.

Casket Bearers will be Aaron Besaw, Luke Besaw, Jesse Young, Ryan Young, Travis Young & Lorne Young Jr.

Last Update: Nov 12, 2024 10:56 am CST