Frank Raymond Hancock

FRANK RAYMOND "RAY, JR." HANCOCK ASHEVILLE - Frank Raymond "Ray, Jr." Hancock, age 90, passed away Friday, October 10, 2014 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville. Mr. Hancock was born February 27, 1924 in Shelbyville, TN where the family had lived until moving to Asheville in 1926. He had served in the Army Air Corp as a B-24 and B-29 pilot for 4 ½ years. Ray, Jr. trained and worked as a watchmaker for many years and for several years he worked as a mechanical inspector for Buncombe County Air Pollution until retiring in 1993. He was known as a musician, playing the saxophone in the Nichols Orchestra and the tuba in the Calvary Baptist Church Choir for several years where he was a member. He was the son of the late Frank Raymond Hancock, Sr. and Anna A. Hancock. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judith "Judy" McMahan in October 2012; and sons-in-law, Ralph McMahan in November 2010 and Wesley Ray in October 2003. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Neva; son, Michael and wife Edna Ruth; daughters, Patricia Martin and husband Joe, and Janet Ray; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2014, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Reverend Pat Stillwell officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. The family is grateful to the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center staff for their loving care. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, c/o CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to the Asheville Humane Society, 14, Forever Friends Lane, Asheville, NC 28806. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Hancock's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, October 17, 2014, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Reverend Pat Stillwell officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, c/o CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to the Asheville Humane Society, 14, Forever Friends Lane, Asheville, NC 28806.