Raymond Duane Bixler

Ray went to live with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 17, 2018 after a three-year courageous battle with cancer at the age of 82. 

Ray was born in Durango, Colorado on Aug. 27, 1936 to Ralph Joseph Bixler and Anna Darlene Hales-Bixler and had 4 siblings, William Bixler, Robert Bixler, Marge Gattenbein and Phyllis Renfro.  They have all preceded Ray in death.  Ray graduated from Roosevelt High in Portland, OR, and then joined the Oregon Air National Guard in 1953 in Portland, OR.  Ray married Audrey Green and had three boys, Jeffrey Duane, Carson City, NV, Michael Eugene, Waikoloa, HI and Christopher Alan, Medford Or. He later married Donna Morcom Miller with whom he was married for 39 years, they have resided in Nampa, ID since 1991. 

He is survived by his three boys, wife Donna, children by marriage- Chad Robert Miller (Jennifer) Hailey, ID and Amy Elizabeth Hazen (Eric), Nampa, ID.  Grandchildren Danny Bixler, Becky Moser, Jennifer Bixler, Justin Miller, Emilee Miller, Brooke Hazen, Andrew Hazen, Samuel Hazen and Lillian Hazen along with 2 great-grandchildren. 

Ray received a direct commission in the Air Guard and retired as a Captain from the guard in 1976.  He then sold real estate until 1993 when he went to work for the Idaho Real Estate Commission as a real estate investigator.  He retired in 1999.

Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved camping.  He developed an interest in recreational gold mining and started his business Finders Keepers in Nampa selling mining equipment until 2015.  He belonged to several gold clubs and enjoyed meeting new people.

Ray will be severely missed by his family and friends.

A heartfelt thank you to Heart and Home Hospice for their dedication and compassion.

Ray’s memorial service will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, ID on Tuesday, November 27 at 3:00 p.m., which will be outdoors. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com 

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