Ray Hamilton Arnold

In Loving Memory of Ray Hamilton Arnold November 8, 1932 – October 17, 2025

Ray Hamilton Arnold was born on November 8, 1932, in his family home in Carrollton, Missouri. He left this world peacefully on October 17, 2025, surrounded by love in the home they built in Independence, Missouri. He was 92 years old.

Life wasn’t always easy for Ray, but you wouldn’t have known it from his smile. He was the ninth of eleven children, growing up amid the Great Depression. After losing his mother at a young age, he learned early to rely on the kindness of others, and in turn, spent his life giving that kindness back tenfold. Those early experiences shaped his character, strong, gentle, generous, and full of heart.

At just seventeen, Ray left the Carrollton area for Kansas City, determined to make his own way. He found his first career with the General Outdoor Sign Company, but soon his country called. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to serve in Korea. His service was exemplary, earning several medals and the rank of Technical Sergeant First Class. Ray’s time in the Army taught him discipline, leadership, and the quiet pride of a job well done, values he carried throughout his life.

In July 1957, Ray met the love of his life, Loyella, and by August, they were married. Their whirlwind courtship lasted only weeks, but their love lasted a lifetime, 68 years of devotion, laughter, and faith in one another.

That same year, they adopted their first child, Lillian Cole, and soon their family grew with the arrivals of Zella, Loyd, and Chester. Their home was full, their hearts even fuller. When the house began bursting at the seams, Ray did what any good dad would do, he built more house. With his own hands, he added a second story, making room for his growing family. Later, when his entrepreneurial spirit demanded space to expand his work, he moved the family to Independence, Missouri, where both home and business could thrive.

Ray’s work ethic was unmatched. Whether he was on the job, in the garage, or fixing something that probably didn’t even need fixing, he believed in doing things the right way. Throughout the years, in addition to being employed as a sign hanger and sheet metal worker, Ray bought his own crane truck and started his own business, Arnold Sign Company. He was especially at ease on the Bobcat, which in recent years was much harder to give up than driving.

He taught his boys the value of hard work and honesty, and he made sure his girls always knew how special they were. Through his example, he showed that love, laughter, and dedication could build a beautiful life.

Family adventures were a constant. Ray loved loading everyone into the car for long road trips, lasting as long as three weeks, exploring the country together. No matter where they went, “home” was wherever his family was.

Their home in Independence became the heart of the neighborhood, always full of people, food, and laughter. Ray and Loyella hosted everything from birthday parties to weddings, family reunions, and holiday gatherings. When the grandkids came along, they added a swimming pool so everyone could learn to swim and have another place to gather. Though Ray himself only swam twice, he loved knowing his family was together, making memories.

After retiring, at least officially from the Sheet Metal Workers Local 2, in 1990, Ray and Loyella traveled and enjoyed their time together, though Ray could never truly sit still. He was happiest staying busy, lending a hand, or sharing stories with anyone who stopped by. In his later years, his greatest joy came from being “Grandad” and “Great-Grandad or Great Papa.” He proudly attended school programs, Halloween parades, ball games, and celebrations of every kind. His presence was steady, his pride visible, and his love unshakable.

Ray never met a stranger. He loved a good story, a hearty laugh, and a long conversation over coffee. His humor was quick, his smile contagious, and his compassion endless. He taught by example, to work hard, treat people kindly, and leave things better than you found them.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Loyella Arnold; daughter Zella (David) Bullard; sons Loyd (Trudy) Arnold, and Chester (Chunying) Arnold; and son-in-law Darrell Cole.

Ray’s legacy continues through his nine grandchildren: William (Lori) Jones, Joshua (Cassidy) Arnold, Audrey (William) Greer, Nicole (Antonio) Zaragoza, Raymond Arnold, Yuhao Arnold, Aaron (Diana) Bullard, Jonathan (Niccole) Bullard, and Jeremy Ratliff.

He was blessed with fifteen great-grandchildren: Katelynn Jones, Elliott Greer, Ryen Reedy, Johanna Zaragoza, Nicholas Arnold, Amelia Mascaro, Adam Arnold, Orion Arnold, Alexander Bullard, Avery Lee Bullard, Vicente Bullard, Eddward Bullard, Penellope Bullard, Jacob Ratliff, and Elliana Ratliff, and one great-great-grandchild, Messiah Ratliff.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Mattie Estelle and Cazz Edward Arnold; his ten siblings; Elsie Arnold, Katherine McCumber, Lillian Mullins, Paul Arnold, Calvin Arnold, Betty Jo Ford, Robert Arnold, Thomas Arnold, Gladys Kiskadon, and Gilbert Arnold; his daughter, Lillian Cole; and great-grandson, Ethan Ratliff.

He was surrounded by love when he left this world, just as he had lived every day of his life, giving more than he took, loving more than he asked for, and smiling through it all. His overalls may hang quiet now, but the pockets are still full, of love, laughter, kindness, and the tools he used to build a beautiful life.

His was a life well-lived, and his legacy will carry on through the generations that follow.

Services for Ray will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Carson Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Family will greet guests between the hours of 1:00 - 2:00 pm for Visitation with Funeral Services to begin at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow services at Mt. Washington Cemetery in Independence, MO.