Walter Raymond Decker

Walter “Wray” Raymond Decker III

The world lost an outdoorsman on April 10, 2024, when Walter “Wray” Raymond Decker, III, age 77, of Hays, KS. passed away peacefully in his sleep.  He was born on May 30, 1946, the son of Walter “Walt” Raymond Decker Jr and Evelyn (Yandell) Decker/Damron in Topeka, KS.  He graduated from Highland Park High School in Topeka in 1964 and later earned his Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology and his Master of Science in Technical Teacher Education.

Wray was united in marriage to Sandra Sprague in 1966 and they had 5 children.  They later divorced and Wray married Mary Johnson/Sazma in 1993.   They remained married until Mary’s death in 2008.  

In his early teens, Wray's venturesome soul took him hitchhiking throughout the country.   Later in life, that same need for adventure allowed him to take on a career in catastrophe insurance adjusting that allowed him to travel the United States.  Most of his professional career he taught Automotive Technology at the college level.  His work ethic had a huge influence on his children. Wray also had a love for motorsports.   He began racing motorcycles at an early age and raced sprint cars in the 1960’s.  He had NASCAR or some form of racing on TV if given the chance.

Wray was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper, and traveler. He loved to fish and set trotlines.  His love of exploration took him to Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Canada and numerous other places to experience the outdoors.  During the 1980's, Wray was an avid furbearer.  He took his kids on many vacations from Alley Springs, MO to South Carolina to Ontario, Canada and places in between.  

Wray lived throughout Kansas in Topeka, Pittsburg, White Cloud, Iola, Spearville and Hays.

Wray was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary (Johnson/Sazma) Decker and great grandson Zeya Reign Htet.  

He is survived by his children - daughter Shannon (Decker) Martin and husband Grady, Dexter, KS; son Walter (Ramo) Raymond Decker IV and wife Pam, Sylvan Grove, KS; daughter Shonda Decker, Las Vegas, NV; son Travis Decker and wife Holly, Russell, KS; and son Brandon Decker and wife Kala, Hays, KS,  along with his sister Crystal (Decker) Kennedy, Berryton, KS, brother Ted Decker, Perry, KS, and sister Jan (Decker) McDaniel, Lanexa, VA.

He is also survived by his grandkids - Micah (Thom) Waggoner (Andy), Riley Thom (Reagan, Wade Martin, Wyatt Martin, Kerstin Decker, Kelsey Decker, Walter (Ray) Raymond Decker V, Dalyn (Cooke) Htet (Shine), Hayden Wisner, Kaysen Wisner, Ashton Decker, Liberty Decker, Bo Decker, Kadence Decker, Karoline Decker, Kannon Decker, and Kallen Decker.

He is survived by the following great grandkids as well - Braylee Waggoner, Blaine Waggoner, and Zyla Htet.

He will be missed and loved by those that knew him.

A memorial service will be held at the Best Western Plus, Hays, KS on Friday, April 19^th at 11:30 am with lunch.  Condolences can be sent to Brandon Decker, 2405 E. 21^st St, Hays, KS   67601.