William Ray Hutchinson

1. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

2. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble. – Psalm 107:1-2

On Monday, September 26, 2022, William Ray Hutchinson, loving husband and father of two, passed away at the age of 87.

Bill was born on June 7, 1935 in Vale, Oregon to Ray and Violet (Crummett) Hutchinson. He attended Oregon State University studying Electrical Engineering. He entered active military service in the United States Air Force in 1956 in the pilot training program. Having moved to Southern California he pursued a career in electrical engineering. Kaiser Steel in Vernon, CA hired him to work in the maintenance department. After changing jobs for a brief time he went back to Kaiser in 1986, which had now become Hannibal Steel, then Nucor. He remained employed at Hannibal/Nucor for 36 years until Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Bill was raised with a strong work ethic as were his two brothers and three sisters. From a very young age one could find him out on the ranch helping his dad. However, some of the best memories he had with his mother were the times they would sing at the piano or even in the car on the way to a picnic. One singing melody and the other singing harmony, memories like these were precious to him.

He met the love of his life, Bobbie Kathryn Armstrong, in Pico Rivera, CA. She had all but given up on the dating life until she met Bill. Though she wasn’t willing to date again so easily, his persistence paid off. Several months later he popped the question. With her hair in curlers and wearing a bathrobe, Bobbie said, “Yes”.

On December 28, 1963, William Ray Hutchinson and Bobbie Kathryn Armstrong were married. They raised two children, a son and daughter. Their two grandchildren brought them years of joy and many smiles.

Bill had a passion for gardening. When he wasn’t working, he liked to spend time planting flowers in the backyard where he spent many happy hours with Bobbie sipping red wine and dreaming of the many years that lie ahead.

Traveling to different locations across the US with the family was something everyone looked forward to. It was the best of times just packing up the car, leaving the troubles behind and heading off down the road.

Bill and Bobbie brought a strong faith in the Lord Jesus into their marriage. Love for each other and for God saw them through to the end, which in reality is only the beginning.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie. He is survived by his son, daughter and grandchildren, Ray, Kathy, Patrick and Hannah.