DOVER - Ray Wharton passed away Jan. 27, 2013 at Kent General Hospital. Mr. Wharton was born in Wilmington, Del. to the late Vivian R. Wharton and Mildred King Wharton. He had worked for Sears and Roebuck Company for 38 years as a receiving manager retiring in 2002. Mr. Wharton was a member of the 1st Southern Baptist Church of Dover where he had been a Deacon and volunteered for most activities especially plays and productions. He volunteered for 15 years at Kent General Hospital. Mr. Wharton enjoyed reading and westerns. Mr. Wharton is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Wharton of Dover; son, Gene Wharton and his wife Debra Ann of Magnolia; daughter, Vivian M. Hopkins and her husband Mark of Dover; brothers, Walter Wharton and his wife Shirley, William Wharton and his wife Betty all of Dover, John Wharton and his wife JoAnn of Camden; sisters, Harriett Funderburk and her husband Michael of Greenwood, S.C. and Grace Engle of Xexnia, Ohio. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m Thursday Jan. 31, 2013 at the 1st Southern Baptist Church of Dover, 761 S. Little Creek Road, Dover. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way #205, New Castle, DE 19720 or a charity of your choice. Letters of condolence and guestbook can be signed at torbertfuneral.com