Erwin William Rayford

Erwin William Rayford passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Kairos Dwelling. Erwin was born January 15, 1920 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin the son of William and Hattie (Qandt) Rayford. He graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1937. Erwin was united in marriage to Ila Gross on May 17, 1941. He was employed at Daniels Mfg. Co. as Pressroom Supervisor from 1941-1960. Erwin was enrolled in college in 1960 at what was then Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology with daughter, Bonnie. They were the first Father-Daughter duo to do this at WSCIT. He graduated in 1964 with a B.S. in Industrial Education. He enrolled in the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1964, where he earned his Masters (ME) in Industrial Education and Technology in 1965. In 1967 he received his Education Doctorate (EDD). He was employed at Western Michigan University in 1967 as Associate Professor. In 1975 he received the Craftsman of the Year Award from the National Graphic Arts Society. He retired in 1983 as Full Professor. He and Ila retired in 1983 and spent the nezt 10 years traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico before buying a small cottage on a lake in the Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin area – their little bit of heaven. In 1999 they moved to Michigan, Making Kalamazoo their home once again. Erwin was preceded in death by his wife, Ila; daughter, Bonnie Rayford Neumann; and son, Lawrence William Rayford. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Rayford (John) Sallee of Parchment, MI; and son Ronald William (Joan) Rayford of Farmington Hills, MI. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. There will be a graveside service Saturday June 28, 2014 at 2 pm at Northland Gardens Cemetery in Rhinelander, WI. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Parchment Redmond Funeral Home, 2300 East “G” Ave. Parchment, MI 49004. (269) 349-7735. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net