Ray Dean Beesley passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Ray was born August 23, 1946, in Browning, IL, to Harry Berthold and Pearl Leora (Elam) Beesley.

After high school, Ray joined the US Air Force, where he spoke out against the Vietnam War and specialised in Telecommunications. He liked to say that he started his career with switchboards and ended it with fiber optics.

In 1971, Ray married Jacqueline Sly in Los Gatos, CA. The couple divorced in 2009. In 2011, Ray returned to Illinois, where he has lived with his significant other, Rose Ann Bradley, for 14 years.

After retirement, Ray became an avid gardener, known for his berries, Big Bertha peppers, and tomatoes.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven siblings (Fern Jackson, Beulah Beesley, Shirley Spain, Gene Beesley, Arlie Beesley, and Barry Simmons); and two grandsons.

Ray is survived by his children, Tiffany (Sac) Brock, Shannon (Renier) Swart, Jolyn Wright, and Phillip Shanda; Step-Children, Tim (Hilari) Simmons and Wendy (Mark) Walters; his significant other, Rose Ann Bradley of Edinburg; two siblings, Carol (Rod) Jackson and Keith (Kim) Simmons; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and many cousins.

Interment will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, followed by a gathering of family and friends in Edinburg. The date of service is pending.