Ray Wightman, of Clifford, at Royal Terrace, Palmerston on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 in his 88th year.

Ray was the beloved husband of the late Ruth (Litt) Wightman who predeceased him in 2007.

Father of Mary and David Finkbeiner of Kincardine, Paul and Joanne Wightman of Clifford, and Blair Wightman and Rosemary Newman of Clifford.

He will be remembered by his grandchildren Dylan Wightman, Leila Finkbeiner and Josh Lane, Robert and Angela Wightman, Julie Wightman, Reid and Jody Wightman, Megan Wightman, Alexander Wightman, and Benjamin Wightman, his great-grandchildren Morgan, Olivia, Abby, Avery, Jack, Hannah, and Norman, and by his sisters Joy and Ron Lawrence of Greenville, SC, Eila McLaughlin of Harriston, and brother Leonard Wightman of Peterborough.

Predeceased by his parents, Benjamin and Leila Wightman, and infant brother John.

Ray was the third generation of the Wightman family to head Wightman Telephone, joining the company in 1948 after his father’s death. He worked with his mother Leila to bring the family business into the modern era. Upon Leila's death in 1976, Ray took full command of the company, and lead it until his retirement in 1987. During Ray’s tenure, the company went from magneto telephones to dial, telephone wires came off the poles and were buried underground, and the cellular phone was introduced. Through continual upgrading, expansion and growth of the Wightman Telephone system, Ray helped to reduce rural isolation and gave the agricultural community an important tool for operating in a global economy.

Ray remained active in his community, being a lifelong member of the Clifford Rotary Club, served for 37 years on the Clifford Volunteer Fire Department, and also served on the Clifford Public School Board. He served for 11 years on Clifford Municipal Council, including two terms as Reeve and two terms on Wellington County Council.

Ray was an advocate for rural telephone companies and was a founder of the Ontario Telephone Association (OTA) in 1965, serving as President in 1973 and being named Honourary Life Member in 1995. In 2007, Ray was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of rural telephone users, and in 2012 he was the recipient of a Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition for commitment to public service and community involvement, and for modernizing communication services in Midwestern Ontario by establishing what is now Wightman Telecom.

Friends may call at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held from Knox United Church, Clifford on Saturday, January 21st at 1:30 p.m. Reception will follow at the Clifford Community Centre (across from Knox United Church).

Interment in Clifford Cemetery.

Memorial donations to Clifford Rotary Club, Knox United Church, Clifford, or Clifford Recreational Association (cheques payable to Town of Minto) would be appreciated.