Rev. Ray B. Nyce

Rev. Ray B. Nyce, 93, of Telford, PA passed away Monday, December 23, 2024 at Lutheran Community at Telford.

He was the loving husband of the late Christine K Nyce for 28 years.

Ray was born August 28, 1931 to the late Henry and Amelia Mae (Barndt) Nyce.

He attended Telford Elementary School, Souderton High School, and Muhlenberg College of Allentown, where he studied Sociology.  Following this, he studied theology at The Lutheran Seminary of Philadelphia, anthropology at the Hartford Seminary Foundation, and continued his education at the Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary as well as the Hartford Seminary.  These studies allowed him to serve his community as a pastor for many years.

Ray was ordained to the ministry of the Lutheran Church in The United States in 1956.  This brought him to the country of Malaysia as a missionary in 1957, where he filled various roles as an evangelistic pastor, church president, and director of the Institute for the Study of Religions and Society.  A man of many languages, Ray performed his missionary work in the English, Chinese and Malay languages.  During these years, he also wrote a Ph.D dissertation, got his degree and published the degree in a book in Malaysia.

After returning to the United States in 1961, Ray took the position of the Director of Research in the Lutheran Church.  He also accepted the opportunity to serve as a pastor for Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Philadelphia before retiring in 1993.  Following his retirement, he married Christine Willson on December 27,1984.

Ray continued his work as an interim pastor in Philadelphia and Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He eventually moved to Albuquerque in 1994 before returning to Telford in 2005, where he took up residence at the Lutheran Community at Telford, where he lived for 20 years.

In his leisure time, Ray enjoyed traveling to many destinations around the world.  As someone who appreciated meals from various cultures, he enjoyed Mexican, Thai and Chinese food, and he was always eager to fill his mind with new information.

Ray's last written words were, "Looking at the fullness of life, I see innumerable 'gifts of grace' , and it is my prayer that I reflect that grace in all my doings with others".

Ray is survived by his son, John Nyce, and wife Rosalia; his daughter, Sue Anne Rush, and husband Mark; his two stepsons, Andy and Mark Willson; his stepdaughter, Mary Osgood; his grandchildren, Amber, Kristin, Lizy, and Josh; his great-grandchildren, Ellarose, Lianna, Tommy, and Cole; and numerous step grandchildren and step greatgrandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Clarence.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m. in the chapel at the Lutheran Community at Telford, 12 Lutheran Home Dr, Telford, PA 18969.

Arrangements are entrusted to Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale