Ray Nixon

Ray Nixon

86, of Libby

Ray H. Nixon, 86, died on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at his home in Libby. He was born on Aug. 30, 1929, at Libby to Worth and Lela (Johnson) Nixon. He grew up and attended schools in Troy and Libby.  

Ray married Shirley Hansberry on October 22, 1949, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. They lived all around Lincoln County over the years. He worked on the woods crew for J. Neils Lumber Company, St. Regis Lumber Company and Champion International. He started as a sawyer with his father-in-law using a cross cut saw. 

Ray started his law enforcement carrier working for the Libby Police Department as a patrol officer and later became Libby’s first assistant Chief of Police. He was elected Lincoln County Sheriff in the early 1980s. He retired after serving three terms. He and Shirley loved spending time at their cabin up Warland Creek after he retired. Ray was an avid fisherman, hunter and musician and loved old country music. He played in several different bands over a period of 30 years.

Survivors include his wife Shirley Nixon, Libby; children Cindy Sikes (Tom), Wade Nixon, Terry Lane (Sam), Jesse Nixon, all of Libby; brothers Albert Nixon, Libby; Douglas Nixon (Allyson), Libby; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016, at the Libby Christian Church. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Memorials may be made to David Thompson Search and Rescue. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.