On Thursday, June 1, 2017, Wilma J. (Buffington) Aye moved on to her heavenly home. Born March 6, 1924 in Crosby, Wyoming, she was the fifth child of coal miner and farmer Robert and Vane Buffington. She enjoyed telling many stories about living in the “wild west” with her brothers and sisters.
At 20, she left her small town life to join the US Army. At WWII’s end and the beginning of the Occupation, she served as a teletype operator in Germany. There she met her husband Raymond Aye, who also was in the Army. After Ray enlisted into the Air Force, they began a whirlwind of lifetime travels across the globe. The two continued to raise their military family in many states.
In retirement years, Wilma and Ray continued to travel and experience adventures around America visiting family, friends, national parks, and historical places across this great land of ours. They loved their country and were determined to see as much of it as the Lord and their supersized RV would let them!
Wilma was known for her award-winning handmade quilts, Christmas stockings, hand-made teddy bears, and Barbie doll clothes. Those fortunate to have received a special piece from her, treasure the skill and craft of her work. She was extraordinary with detail and her work as a seamstress could rival the best.
She was also very adept at family genealogy. Before the internet was commonplace, she spent countless hours writing letters, filling in charts, and gathering family names from archives and relatives. Her research helped to lay the foundation for a family tree for future generations to continue her life’s work.
Wilma was a devout Christian and a member of the Northside Christian Church. She belonged to the Women’s Veterans of Southwest Missouri American Legion Post #1214. She gave freely of her time to Meals on Wheels among other volunteering ventures. One of which was to use colorful stickers on correspondence and greeting cards to family and friends.
Wilma is preceded in death by her husband, Ray; parents Robert and Vane Buffington; 2 sisters and 4 brothers. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Gracie Aye of Willard; daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Harold Kaufman of Denver; 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, sister, Ella Morrison of California, and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a Memorial Service on Friday, July 7, 2017, 11:30am, at Northside Christian Church. Wilma will be laid to rest in National Cemetery following the service at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to S.W. Missouri American Legion Post #1214, P.O. Box 14826, Springfield, MO. 65814.

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