Raphael 'Ray' James Bisson

POLSON — Raphael "Ray" James Bisson, 72, of Polson died at his home on Aug. 4, 2005.

Ray was born in to Camille and Mary (Dixon) Bisson on June 29, 1933, in Polson. He grew up on the family home on Minesinger Trail near Polson. He attended schools at the Ursuline School in St. Ignatius and Polson. He graduated from Polson High School in 1953.

Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corps and also served in the U.S. Navy.

Ray worked at several jobs including Utsond's Meats, Dupuis Mill and at the Hungry Horse dam. He eventually started working for the Department of Interior with the Bureau of Reclamation as a ditchrider for the Flathead Irrigation Project. Ray continued to work as a ditchrider from 1970 until he retired in 1995.

Ray was one of the first to start raising Christmas trees in the Mission Valley. He still had a passion for raising trees. He was also proud of the fact that he built his own home.

Ray was member of the American Legion. He loved to fish, hunt and spend time with his family. He especially loved to spend time with his grandchildren. He had numerous friends in the Mission Valley and in Ennis.

His parents, two brothers and five sisters preceded Ray in death.

He is survived by two daughters, Dixie Davis and her husband Monte of Ennis, and Rae Ann Matt of Pablo; two grandchildren, Monica and Shawn of Ennis; three sisters, Alice Schnover of Pahrump, Nevada, Wanita Marquardt of Pablo and Mary Ann Bisson of Grandview, Wash.

Mass of the Resurrection was held on Aug. 11 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson with Father Val Zdilla as celebrant. Interment with military honors followed at the Beauvais-Decker Cemetery (Old Catholic Cemetery) in Polson.

Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.