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Boutz -- Col. William Ray Boutz died Monday, December 9, 2002 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Geraldine Boutz; sons, Gary and wife, Geri of Reno, NV, Allen and wife, Betty of Springfield, VA; grandchildren, Gary Jr. and Graham and wife, DiAnne, Kimmer Franz, Brian and Lauren; sister, Corabelle McKinnon of Tyler, TX; and sister-in-law, Emma Lee Boutz of Albuquerque; and many loving nieces and nephews. Ray Boutz was born in a small sod farmhouse near Harris, Saskatchewan, Canada on June 2, 1910 to John William and Pinckney Ford Boutz. He returned to the US in 1919 with the family and later attended Deming High School. While attending New Mexico A&M, from which he graduated in 1932 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he joined the New Mexico National Guard in a horse cavalry unit. Deciding that flying was his true calling, he trained at Randolph Field in Texas in the Army Air Corps and earned his Pilot's wings in 1934. It was in Texas that he met his future bride. Married to Geraldine that same year, they began a long military career together that spanned the next 25 years. First stationed at Luke Field in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in the quiet pre-war years, they then returned to Texas where, as an instructor pilot, he trained many future generals in proper flight techniques. During World War II he flew combat missions in B-24's from Italy over Europe. After the war he served in numerous posts in Ohio, New York, Greenland, Alabama, and Japan, finally retiring in Albuquerque in 1959. After his Air Force career he worked for the New Mexico State Welfare Department as a Social Case Worker. Retiring a second time in 1973 he enjoyed family, friends and fishing in New Mexico during the remainder of his life. He was preceded in death by his son, John Frederick; brothers, Monroe and Paul Lawrence; and sister, Juanita. Ray was a wonderful father and uncle, loving husband and faithful friend, and will be deeply missed. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2002 at Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Ave. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
        Published on: Sat December 14, 2002