Raymond Preston Kidwell Sr., 94, of Granite City, IL, passed away at 11:23 a.m. Thurs. Sept. 26, 2024 at Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City with his family by his side.

He was born Aug. 10, 1930 in Sulphur Rock, AR to the late Luther P. and Lilly (Tharp) Kidwell.

He and Virginia Ellen Tosh were married in Spring Mill, AR on Dec. 31, 1952.  She preceded him in death June 25, 2015.

The U.S. Army Korean war veteran retired from McDonnell-Douglas as a machinist after more than 30 years of service.  He was a member of AmVets #51 and loved to go to "the boat" to gamble.

He is survived by a daughter: Phyllis (Randy) Higgins of Granite City; a son: Raymond (Mae) Kidwell Jr. of Maryville, IL; 6 grandchildren: Shawn Gooch, Amy Pittman, Joe Higgins, Beth Levy, Kelly McPeak and Raelynn Kidwell; 11 great-grandchildren: Kristin, Will, Jack, Deanne, Maddy, Morgan, McKenzie, Ally, Noah, Emmy and Kaylee; a sister: Bertie Whiteside of Batesville, AR; a sister-in-law: Mary Mayberry of Mt. Juliet, TN; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Virgie Staggs.

Ray and his wife will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Online information and guestbook through Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory may be found at www.wojstrom.com.