Raymond Arden Wardinsky

Raymond A. Wardinsky, age 89, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023. He was born in Great Falls on April 21, 1933. His parents were Eugene A. Wardinsky and Madonna Catherine Burns.

All the Wardinsky boys were given nicknames from their grandfather. Ray was known to his family and long-time friends as “Butch.” He graduated from Great Falls High in 1952. He was a very good football player, and as a sophomore, played on the state championship team in 1950. He was selected to play in the Shrine Football Game the summer after his senior year.

After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Astoria, Oregon. After his military service, he returned to Great Falls and on August 11, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Greaves. Ray began college at Montana State University in the Fall of 1956. His only child, Elizabeth June Wardinsky, was born in Bozeman. After college, they moved to Seattle, Washington where he went to work for Boeing as a draftsman. Tragically, Elizabeth, was killed in an automobile accident the summer after she graduated from high school.

Ray remained with Boeing for over 37 years. After retiring, he became an assistant golf pro at the Running Y, the Arnold Palmer golf course in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He moved back to Great Falls in 2003 to live out his golden years.  He loved playing golf, working in his yard, watching football, and creating things with his hands.

Family was everything to the Wardinskys, and Ray was no exception. He loved spending time with his family and participated in all the family reunions. He also enjoyed visiting and watching the younger generations grow up and raise families of their own. Each generation of nieces and nephews that came along called Ray their Uncle Butch.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Elizabeth; and his two brothers, Kenneth W. Wardinsky and Eugene J. Wardinsky. Ray is survived by his niece, Catherine (Dave) Hamre; two nephews, Kenneth M. (Liz) Wardinsky and Scott E. Wardinsky; along with multiple great and great-great nieces and nephews; and various cousins.

Ray’s remains have been interred and the family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.