Gretna……….Ray Wilson Hershman, age 74 of 2025 Crown Road, Gretna died Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Veterans Medical Center in Salem.
Born March 31, 1940 in Pittsylvania County he was a son of Delma Rowland Hershman of Gretna and the late Samuel Wilson Hershman. Ray retired after over 21 years in the US Navy as a Master Chief and was a Vietnam War Veteran. Ray was a proud member of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and a plank owner. He was a member of Greenfield Baptist Church, a member of VFW Post 873 and American Legion Post 232, and a member of the Northern Pittsylvania County Food Bank for 20 years. Following his retirement from the Navy he worked as a deputy for Pittsylvania County, worked as a logger, was a plant engineer at Craddock-Terry and was a Master Electrician. Ray enjoyed bird watching, spending time with family and friends, and loved his dogs.
In addition to his mother he is survived by his wife, Betty Roach Hershman of the residence who he had been with for 24 years; two daughters, Deanna Shelton and husband, Kyle of Chatham, and Holly Gardner and husband, Richard of Gretna; two brothers, Kenneth Lee Hershman and wife, May of Gretna, and Leonard John Hershman of Gretna; three grandchildren, Nathan Shelton, Amanda Shelton, and Gabrial Wilson Gardner.
Graveside services with Military Honors by the US Navy Funeral Honor Guard Unit will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Greenfield Baptist Church Cemetery by Rev. R. G. Rowland.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence of his daughter, Holly Gardner 2065 Crown Road, Gretna.
Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.