Clifford Ray Pettingill, age 91, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. He was born Nov. 1, 1925 in Elba, ID, the son of Clifford & Essie Fewkes Pettingill.
Ray loved music all of his life. When he was 9 years old he sang with his parents as a trio. When they performed, he stood on a box so their voices blended better together.
When he was 2 years old living in Long Beach, CA his mother enrolled him in a dance studio in Beverly Hills Ray later was in some stage plays and was asked to do a screen test in the Al Roch Movie Studio in Hollywood, CA. His family later moved to Sandy, UT in 1943. Ray spent his last year of school at Jordan High.
At the age of 19, Ray joined the Navy in June 1944 during WWII. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Tucson CL 98, a light cruiser. Later, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Ogalala at Pearl Harbor and was raised up and used through until the end of WWII.
Ray was a few credits away from receiving his BA degree in Art. He attended school at the Art Center in Pasadena, CA & Utah State University in Logan, UT.
Later while living in Lakewood, CA Ray worked as a technical illustrator in North American Aviation. He did art work for the Apollo space craft mission.
Ray married Gloria Lay Kirk Pettingill and was sealed in the Temple. They were married for 36 years.
Ray is survived by his 3 children: Paige, Ondre, & Jeannie.
Funeral services will be held at the Smithfield South Stake Center (451 S 250 E) on Friday, January 13 at 12 noon with a viewing prior from 10:00-11:30. Interment will follow at Smithfield City Cemetery with military honors. Condolences & memories may be shared online at
www.nelsonfuneralhome.com