Raymond Leslie Bess

Dr. Raymond Leslie Bess, 86, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2011 at a local hospital. He was the son of Ernest and Helen Snyder Bess of Fairbury, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjorie Healy Bess; a son, Stephen Edward Bess; his step-mother, Berniece Bess; three sisters, Wilma, Evelyn and Eula Mae and one brother, Willard. Dr. Bess is survived by his wife, Angela Adams Watson Bess, his son Arthur Bess and his wife Valerie of Montgomery; Angela’s children, Paul Watson and wife Cheryl of Columbia, TN, Pat Watson and wife Kerri of Deatsville, AL and Forrest Watson Hamrick and husband Keith of Auburn; eight grandchildren; a brother, Howard Bess and wife Darlene of Palmer, Alaska; two sisters, Lois Gerber and husband Ben of Billings, MT and Rochelle Hoelscher and her late husband Bill of Chatsworth, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Bess served on PT Boats during WWII with the U. S. Navy. Dr. Bess was an All-State high school football player and later served as a high school teacher, coach, counselor, principal and Headmaster, including serving with Department of Defense Schools in Japan. He was active in the Frazer Prison Ministry.

His family will always remember his singing throughout the house at just about any time of day. He sang with the Frazer choir as both a soloist and member of the choir. He also led singing at Wesley Gardens and sang with the Frazer Speeders Choir and the Baptist Advantage Fun Time Band. Members of those groups, along with friends from the Central Alabama Emmaus Walk and Friends with Friends, will be honorary pallbearers. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church with Dr. Tim Thompson officiating. Visitation will be from 12 – 2 p.m. in the parlor at Frazer. A private graveside service will follow at Alabama Heritage Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.