SALEM, Ohio – Warner “Ray” Lawson Sr., 87, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

He was born Jan. 22, 1925, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a son of the late Fred and Annie (McGinley) Lawson.

Ray served in the U.S. Marine Corps with the 3rd Engineering Battalion and 3rd Marine Division in World War II, in both Iwo Jima and Guam.

He graduated from Youngstown State College in 1950, with a bachelors of science in Business and was a member of the Alpha Tau Gamma.

Before his retirement, Ray was a chairman of the board for Adolph Johnson & Sons, where he had worked for them, starting in 1952, as an accountant.

Ray was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in New Springfield, the Elks Lodge and the Downtown Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the Salem Golf Club and was known for his ability at every course on which he played. He won many awards for his passion and love of golf. Ray lived for his family, his extended family at work and the golf course.

Ray leaves behind his beloved wife, the forever Betty Lee (Siegrist) Lawson, whom he married in 1947.

He also leaves to cherish his memory, a daughter, Joyce A. Lawson and companion Roger Wilson of Pulaski, Pa.; a son, Warner R. Lawson Jr. of Poland, Ohio; three grandchildren, Jackie (JJ) Dechellis, Jeremy Ray (Jennifer) Lawson, and Jerry (Penny) Phillips; and five great-grandchildren, Marlo, Dante and James V. Dechellis, Austin Lawson and Preston Phillips.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Aimee Raymond officiating.

Full military honors provided by the Salem Honor Guard will follow the service at the funeral home.

Calling hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Golf Club Memorial Fund, 1967 South Lincoln Ave., Salem, OH 44460 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693.

Please visit www.starkmemorial.com to view this obituary online