Santee- Ray Howard Burchette, 81, husband to Rita A. (Billups) Burchette for 46 years, passed into the arms of his Savior on Monday, September 14, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. A gathering of Ray's family and friends will be from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at the Elloree First Baptist Church, 6208 Old #6 Highway, Elloree, South Carolina 29047. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. at the Church with Senior Pastor, J. Todd Horton, officiating.
Ray was born on January 26, 1939 in Huntington, West Virginia to his parents, Oliver Thomas Burchette and Violet Louise (Damron) Burchette. Ray lived in Santee for the last 31 years, he served his country honorably as a nuclear weapons mechanic in the United States Air Force during the Cold War. Ray was an entrepreneur owning a variety of successful businesses during his lifetime. Ray was of the Baptist Faith and a Member of Elloree First Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by his sister, Frances Burchette Prince and his children, Gary Ray Burchette, Tami Burchette Torras, Terry Allen Burchette, Teresa Allard and Gene Wilson; thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.
Flowers may be sent to Avinger Funeral Home or donations may be made in memory of Ray Burchette to the Elloree First Baptist Church, Post Office Box 387, Elloree, South Carolina 29047.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at https://www.avingerfh.com/.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd., Holly Hill, SC 29059, (803) 496-3434.