Raymond Edward Hetman , age 79 of Smyrna, TN, took his final flight after an extended illness on Wednesday September 21, 2016. Ray was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 17, 1936, to parents Felicia and John Hetman. He was the eldest son in a family of seven siblings.

Ray is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Kay Hetman of Smyrna, TN; three children, Michael Hetman and Michelle Johnson of Smyrna, TN, and Matthew Hetman of Key Largo, FL; two grandchildren, Megan Epstein, and her husband Levi of Murfresboro, TN, and Stephanie Johnson of Smyrna, TN; two great grandchildren, Loralei and Jett. Ray is also survived by two of his Cleveland, Ohio siblings, Katherine Hetman and Virginia Higgins.

Ray spent the greater portion of his working career in the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Master Sergeant specializing in jet engine mechanics. He served with honor as a Crew Chief of a C-130 Gunship during his three tours of Vietnam. In the mid-1970's, Ray had the privilege of training some of the first, female, jet pilots for the United States Air Force while stationed at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. He finished his military career as an Air Force Recruiter in Cleveland, OH in 1977. Shortly after retiring from the Air Force, Ray and his family returned to Smyrna, TN. Ray spent an additional 18 years serving as a quality control technician and test driver for the Nissan Motor Manufacturing Company.

Although born a "city boy" in Cleveland, everyone always knew Ray was more at home in his adopted state of Tennessee which he greatly loved and always managed to return to over the years.

A private graveside service with military honors will be 1:00 PM Tuesday September 27, 2016 at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Pegram, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alvin C. York Medical Center Volunteer Services for Hospice, 3400 Lebanon Road Murfreesboro, TN 37129, in memory of Mr. Hetman.

An online guestbook for the Hetman family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com

Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna. 615-893-5151.