Raymond Francis Locati

Raymond F. Locati passed away Dec. 1,
2014, at Prosser Memorial Hospital due
to complications following surgery.

Ray was born in Walla Walla on June 9, 1938, to Joe and
Rachel (Leonetti) Locati. He attended College Place
grade school and St. Patrick’s Catholic High School,
Class of 1957. He graduated from Gonzaga University
in 1963 with degrees in mechanical engineering and
business administration.

On Aug. 21, 1965, he married Lila Lee Witt at St.
Francis Catholic Church, Walla Walla. They would
have celebrated their 50th anniversary this coming
summer. They had two daughters, Wendy and Terra.
He was an engineer for the City of Walla Walla for
many years, and then went on to own and operate
several local businesses, including Locati Motors, Bicycle
Barn, LMS, Inc., and Cambridge Properties. He
loved real estate, owned many rentals, and renovated
several commercial properties here in town.

In spite of his handicap, he did not let anything deter him
from accomplishing whatever he set his mind to.
He took great pride and joy in his family, especially
his four grandsons. He was an avid history buff and
collector of artifacts, especially from World War II.
He truly loved fixing up and showing off his car collection,
starting with a 1953 Corvette when he was
first married that he sold to buy his beloved 1963 Jaguar
XKE. He taught his daughters to share his love
of cars and they enjoyed helping show cars with him.
He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church,
Italian Heritage Assn. and Walla Walla Catholic
Schools Alumni Assn.

He is survived by his wife,
Lila, at home; daughters, Wendy Kimball and Terra
(Don) Lally; and grandsons, Chase, Braden and Juston
Kimball and Tucker Gossett, all of Walla Walla;
sister-in-law, Darline Locati of Lake Oswego, Ore.,
and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded
in death by his parents; brother, Norman Locati; in-laws,
Earl and Arlyne (Overturf) Witt; and brothers-in-law, Steve and Mike Witt.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014,
from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Herring Groseclose
Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder. The Rosary will be
recited Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at 6 p.m. also at the
funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated
on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis
Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be
made to Walla Walla Catholic Schools, St. Francis
Catholic Church or Birthright through the funeral
home.