The Celebration of life information scheduled for 1/19/2013 can be found by selecting |Timeline | Longtime Atwater resident, local businessman, beloved husband, father and friend to many, Raymond Hansen, 82, passed away after a short illness on October 16, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Merced California. Ray was born January 19, 1930 in Eureka California to Oscar and Helga Hansen. Raymond had two sisters, Elsa who passed previously and June, who lives with her husband Don in the Bay area. Ray is survived by his bride Darlene and his five children, Stephanie, Mark, Gregory, Stacey and Shellie. Ray and Darlene have 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ray and Darlene Hansen, formerly Harmon of Merced, met while Ray was stationed at Castle AFB. They were married November 1951. After High School, Ray spent a brief time in the Naval Reserves before starting a carrier with the USAF that spanned almost 27 years. Raymond retired at Castle AFB in 1973 as a SMSgt. During his career with the USAF, he was Crew Chief on a Boeing B-29, B-50, KC- 135 as well as serving as the NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) for the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at McConnell AFB, Kansas. In 1974, Ray and Darlene opened Hansen Tire in Merced, which is still a fixture downtown. Hansen Tire was sold in 1991 to former employee Cory Ruiz and his wife Lori. Our father said his life never really started until he met Darlene; he loved the early morning walks they shared around Atwater. He also loved history, particularly the study of the Civil War, reading Western novels and spending time with his friends (The Rusty Zipper Club) at Sunshine Donuts.