Dr. William "Ray" Lister

Dr. William Raymond Lister, 79, of Brownsville, PA, passed away at his home on Tuesday April 3, 2007 with his loving family at his side, after many years of suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Ray loved his family, his profession, his running, and his many friends. He will always be remembered for his enthusiasm and love of life.

Ray was born October 16, 1927, in North Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late William F. and Lillian Daley Lister.

He was a member of the South Brownsville United Methodist Church.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in Japan.

Ray had a distinguished teaching and coaching career spanning thirty-six years and a long and successful running career spanning forty-six years.

He graduated from the University of Rhode Island where he earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences, a B. Ed. Degree, and a M.S. Degree in Zoology. He graduated from Boston University where he was awarded a Doctorate in Biology and Education in 1963.

He taught in Rhode Island, New York and Virginia before coming to California University of Pennsylvania in 1963 as Professor in the Biological and Environmental Sciences Department.

He was head track and field coach at California University of Pennsylvania from 1972 through 1980. He conducted research on the effects of running on men over forty years of age. His research also included turtle growth, development, and hibernation. He retired in 1988, at which time he was granted Professor Emeritus status.

In 1985 Ray was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Hall of Fame. As a member of the United States Masters International Track Team, he competed in two Master's World Championship Games: in 1975 in Toronto, Canada, and in 1979 in Hannover, West Germany. He won six national championships in Master's Track and Field, completed several Boston Marathons, and won over one hundred championship races in his lifetime.

He belonged to a myriad of professional and athletic organizations.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; a favorite aunt, Christine D. Hillman; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mont and Vera Mowder of Brownsville, PA.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Mowder Lister, of Brownsville, PA; three children; Andrew R. Lister and his wife, Brenda, of Uniontown, PA; Linda D. Tilton and her husband, James, of Fredericksburg, VA; and Christina R. Taracido and her husband, Frank, of Wilkesboro, NC; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a sister, Frances Foisy; a brother-in-law Mont Mowder and his wife, Barbara, of Highlands Ranch, CO; and many more loving relatives and friends.

A private memorial service will be held with the Rev. Scott Teets of Fallen Timbers Community Chapel, Fallen Timbers Road, Point Marion, PA 15474 officiating. Funeral arrangements are in the care of the NOVAK FUNERAL HOME, 515 Front Street, Brownsville, PA.

Private interment will follow in Redstone Cemetery, Brownsville, PA.

To sign the on line guest book or to record a personal condolence, please log on to novakfuneralhome.net

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