Lakeland – Ray Wurtz, 86, of Lakeland, Florida, entered into eternal peace with the Lord, at his home, with all of his family by his side, on November 29, 2018. Ray was of the Pentecostal Faith. Ray was the son of Benjamin and Viola Wurtz, of Pleasanton, Kansas.
Ray was born in Pleasanton, Kansas on September 15, 1932. He came from a family of 13 brothers and sisters. Later, moving to Kansas City, he owned several businesses.
He moved his family to Winter Haven, Florida in the early… Read More » 70’s to own and operate several businesses. Ray was a loyal and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, gardening, and swimming.
He also liked antiques as a hobby. Ray was an accomplished and respected business owner and enjoyed helping people. Ray was also known for passing along wisdom about life.
Ray spent his life providing and caring for his family and others. In his early years, Kansas, Ray enjoyed race car driving. Then, while living in Overland Park, Kansas spending time with his 5 daughters and wife Karen of 25 years, at their summer home at the Lake of the Ozark’s and later, family vacations across the United States.
While living in Winter Haven, Ray enjoyed boating, skiing, and other water recreational activities. Being from Kansas, Ray continued to be an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs football team. During his mid-life, Ray met and married Betty Tiffany Dennis.
Ray and Betty enjoyed 20 years of summers at their Lodge in North Carolina. During their later years, they enjoyed owning and operating Tiffany’s Antiques and Tiffany’s Real Estate and Rentals. He then built and operated Tiffany’s Furniture and Appliances and Tiffany’s Realty, with the assistance of his oldest daughters Heidi Wurtz Langford, and Debbie Wurtz Harrison.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Karen Wurtz, the mother of his 5 daughters, a son, Randy Hoffman, and grandson Jarrod Ryan Strickland. Ray is survived by his wife Betty of 35 years, and 6 daughters: Alesia Hoffman Martin (Patrick) of Tempe, Arizona; Heidi Wurtz Langford (Bill Langford), of Lakeland, Florida; Haili Wurtz Marotti (Lew Marotti) of Labelle, Florida; Dr. Heather McDaniel (Dr. Gary McDaniel) of Waynesville, North Carolina; Dr. Holly Strickland of Lakeland, Florida; and Hillary Wurtz Dykhuizen (Steve Dykhuizen) of Lakeland, Florida. Also survived by three stepsons Harvey, Herbert and David Dennis.
Ray was also survived by 21 grandchildren; Devin, Lauren, Jarrod, Sydney, Noelle, Patrick, Kaitlin, John, Kendall, Holden, Hamilton, Hudson, Austin, Kristin, Lance, Piper, Max, Daniel, Andrew, Tiffany, Brandon; 7 great grandchildren; Gracie, Claire, Nicholas, Rowan, Blake, Dylan, Olsen, and one expecting. Ray was a true Patriarch and enjoyed spending time with them. Ray was a strong supporter of Lighthouse Ministries and numerous other organizations.
Ray will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with services following at 11:00 am at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Ave. , Lakeland, FL.
Interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Cornerstone Hospice of Polk County. www.
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