Walter Chesnut

Walter Raymond "Ray" Chesnut, age 83, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018 at his home in Long Beach, MS.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Laura Chesnut of London, KY; and his daughter-in-law, Linda Perkins Chesnut, Corbin, KY.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Billie Brock Chesnut, Long Beach, MS; Children, Jeanni Rose, Long Beach, MS, Sandy Chesnut, Gulfport, MS,  Buddy (Beezy) Chesnut, Corbin, KY, and  Mark Kelsay, Atlanta, GA; Grandchildren, Jason Rose, Brandi Chesnut, Savannah Chesnut, Kayla Kelsay Morales, Derrick Kelsay, and Brett Kelsay; Great-Grandchildren, Bradley, Alex and Annaleigh Rose; and Kahlan, Ella and Jameson Kelsay and Amelia Morales; Brother: Ron (Trisha) Chesnut, Greeneville, TN; Nieces & Nephews, Bruce Wyrick, Pass Christian, MS, Amy (Eric) Moon, Johnson City, TN & Alex Chesnut, Greeneville, TN; and Great-Nieces, Abigail & Alexandria Chesnut, Greeneville, TN.
Ray was born and raised in London, KY.  He attended the University of Kentucky for 3 years where he played the trombone in the UK marching band and married Billie Jean Brock of London, KY.  Ray and Billie resided in Lexington, KY, then Louisville, KY and then moved to Corbin, KY where they resided for 21 years and raised their children.  He returned to University of Kentucky to finish his degree - commuting an hour each way for classes while working full time as Postmaster at East Bernstadt, KY.  He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Business Administration in 1983.  One of his favorite memories of his college days was taking a Statistics class with his daughter, Sandy and tutoring her in her least favorite subject.
After his children graduated from Corbin high school, Ray and Billie moved around with the Postal Service, serving as the Postmaster in Wapakoneta, OH; Director of Finance in New Orleans, LA; Postmaster in St Bernard LA and Postmaster in Long Beach, MS where he retired after 39 years of service.
Ray was a devoted husband and father.  He never missed any of his children's sports events and enjoyed taking them on family vacations and fishing trips.  Ray and Billie welcomed all their kid's friends into their home any time of the day or night and often introduced them as their own.  Ray loved playing practical jokes and Sharon Parks Mabbett gave him his biggest challenge.  During Sharon's first visit to Wapakoneta, Ray met her just off the interstate and told her to follow him home, but decided to take her through the local drive-thru beer shack without her knowing.  But Sharon wasn't daunted by his antics and retaliated often to Ray's delight.

Ray adored all of his dogs over the years, Little Bit, Lucky, Tang, Bandit, Jim, Jane, Miss Vagabond, Baby, Chi, Mai Ling, Lee Chang, DeeDee, Beau and Libby - to show the extent of his love for the pups, he helped his daughter rescue a liter of pups from under an abandoned house by pulling up the floor boards to access the pups and even carried his paralyzed Pekingese, Chi through the Grand Canyon while on vacation.
Ray was very close to his brother, Ron and some of his favorite stories were of their family time playing Rook during family get-togethers, or telling others of Ron's famous sleigh-riding trip on Vandorn Hill and his great skills at making candied apples.
Ray was very kind hearted and instead of going to the store to buy the family Christmas tree, he would ride out into the country until he found a house with a family that was obviously in need.  He would knock on the door and ask them if he could cut a tree from their land.  The landowners never asked for payment for the tree, but he would always give them more than he would have paid at the local store.  He always wanted the less fortunate children to have a Christmas.  He never missed a Christmas day delivering last minute packages before most people were even awake - "so the kids would have their packages on Christmas morning."
Ray was very talented musically - besides the trombone, he played the piano and sang in a quartet, The Four Tones, which won a contest against the quartet that eventually went on to sing with Elvis.  Ray's quartet disbanded when several of the members were drafted into the Korean war.
Ray was an avid Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan and enjoyed having his family with him during game time - he always texted his children to let them when the Wildcats would be playing and that seating was available at his house. He would only answer the phone during games if he knew it was his brother, Ron on the phone to discuss how the game was progressing.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the very special caregivers at Southern Care Hospice and Comfort Keepers for taking such great care of Ray during his illness and for providing such comfort to the family during the most difficult times of their life.
A Memorial Service will be held at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, MS on Wednesday, November 28 at 11:00 am with Visitation preceding the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, in honor of Ray's devotion to animals and especially those less fortunate, the family requests that donations be sent to Tired Dog Rescue, PO Box 10751, Gulfport, MS  39505 or to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS  39501.
The online guestbook may be viewed and condolences & photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com