MT. VERNON, IL — Longtime former Mt. Vernon City Councilman and Mt. Vernon City Manager Ray Botch has passed away.
Botch, who was elected to the council position again in 2019, resigned from his position in May of this year due to health concerns.
Because of his dedication and service to the City of Mt. Vernon, the city has named the Emergency Operations Center at the new police station the Raymond P. Botch Emergency Operations Center. According to current Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis, Botch spent thousands of dollars of his own money to help improve the city. Botch personally paid for the signage on the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building and a new K-9 for the Mount Vernon Police Department, as well as personally funding the MVPD’s Citizens Police Academy.
Botch’s previously served as Mount Vernon’s city manager for 14 years. After his stint as Mount Vernon’s city manager, he became the city manager of Westmont, Illinois, where he served for 19 years.
When Botch retired, he chose to come back to Mt. Vernon, which he referred to as his “adopted hometown,” in his acceptance speech for his most recent tenure. Botch, even after retirement, soon volunteered his time and expertise serving as chairman of Mount Vernon’s Public Utilities Commission.
We at Withers Broadcasting pass along to his family our deepest of sympathy.
Raymond Botch, who served as Councilman and City Manager of Mount Vernon passed away July 10, 2025.
He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Dennis and Barbara Botch, Ruthann Thompson, Steven and Carol Botch, Beatrice Botch and Peter Samal, and Laura Botch; as well as his nieces and nephews and their families, Craig Botch, Jeff Botch, Bradley Thompson, Chester Thompson, Garth Thompson, Paul Botch and Alissa Johnston; step daughter, Suzanne Lohrum; all the great nieces and nephews, Oliver, Joseph, Vincent, Hailey, Will, Cortlyn, Colton, Catherine, Lily, Carson and Sydney; and step grandson, Alex.
He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Sharon: his wonderful parents, Laura and Raymond Botch, Sr,; and his beloved brother George Thompson
Ray was born on March 2, 1943 in Waterbury, Connecticut. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa and decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a City Manager. He received a Masters degree in Public Administration from Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas. While at KU he became a huge Jay Hawk basketball fan and subsequently established a scholarship fund in public administration at the university to support children of city managers who wish to become city mangers.
Ray started his career as Assistant City Manager in Highland Park, Illinois. He served as Mount Vernon’s City Manager from 1970 until 1984 and then became city manager of Westmont, Illinois, where he served for nineteen years. He’s been the recipient of numerous awards and achievements. His accomplishments in Westmont were recognized when they built the new Westmont Centre and named it after him – the Raymond P. Botch Jr. Westmont Centre.
When Ray retired from city managing, he returned to his “adopted hometown” Mount Vernon and was elected to the city council in 2019. He spent thousands of dollars of his own money to help improve the city. Additionally, he donated his entire councilman salary back to the city during his tenure. Because of his dedication and service to Mount Vernon, the city named the Emergency Operations Center at the new police station after him – the Raymond P Botch Emergency Operations Center.
Everywhere Ray walked he left the destination a better place! Thank you Ray!
A Visitation will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 pm with Mr. Marty Mills officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Raymond’s honor to the City of Mount Vernon (memo police academy) and can be accepted at Hughey Funeral Home.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at
618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
