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Ray Hollingsworth
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Ray Hollingsworth passed away January 20, 2022, in Abilene, Texas after battling cancer. A private family service is planned.
Ray graduated from Webster High School in May of 1972. In December 1972, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and in Thailand at Clark AFB. He was actually in attendance at the "Thrilla in Manila" in October ’75.
Ray earned the following degrees: BA Psychology from the University of Minnesota (Magna Cum Laude), MA in Family Counseling from the University of Minnesota. He attended the USAF Squadron Officers School in 1986, a 2nd Masters- MS, Aeronautical Sciences - Embry Riddle in 1992, and USAF Air Command and Staff in 1994.
After completing his initial degrees in 1979, he was accepted to Officers Training School, with follow up training as a pilot in 1980. Upon completion of undergraduate pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas. Later, Ray was assigned to fly B-52Gs, 441st Bombardment Squadron at Mather AFB, California. He was board selected to fly the new B-1B bomber in 1986. Assigned again to Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota with the 37th BS, as a flight instructor. His final assignment was the 28th BS, Dyess AFB, Texas where he retired in 1997 as a Lt Colonel with more than 24 years of service. After retirement he became a civilian B-1 flight instructor at Dyess AFB, and, until recently, he continued to teach young officers how to fly the B-1.
Ray and his wife Lauri, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last summer. They had 3 children: Ray Jr., Amber, and Angela.
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