Ray P. Hiams

Ray Hiams, 93 of Rowan passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Belmond Medical Center in Belmond.

Funeral services for Ray Hiams will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at 11:00 AM at the United Church of Rowan, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating.  Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Rowan.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Ray Hiams was born January 10, 1919 to Bert and Alice (Yoeman) Hiams on the family farm near Rowan.  He graduated from Rowan High School and began working with his father and brothers on the family farm.

Ray’s grandparents were the original homesteaders of the family farm in the mid-1850s, a source of great pride for Ray and his siblings.  Their home served as the post office for Fryberg, before the nearby town was incorporated as Rowan.

Ray served in the United States Army during World War II.  He was injured in battle in Belgium, and was awarded the Purple Heart.  In May of 2011, Ray was honored to visit Washington, D.C. as a member of the Honor Flight. Ray was a lifelong farmer, enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and loved cars.  He also maintained a garden each year, and was known for growing large watermelons.

Ray was a member of the United Church of Rowan and the American Legion Post #159.

Ray is survived by his niece, Corrine Severson and family of Phoenix, Arizona, two nephews, Richard Howieson and family and Paul Hardy and family, both of Clarion, along with numerous other extended family members and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Pearl Howieson, Doris Hardy, and Hazel Lilleskau and brothers Dale Hiams and Harold Hiams.