Raymond, William J.
William J. Raymond (Bill) a longtime resident of Farmington, CT, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2023 in Pasadena, CA. Born December 16, 1930 in Washington DC to Mildred E. (Menow) and William F. Raymond, he attended Roosevelt High School in DC and then the University of Maryland, where he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the ROTC program. He completed a Bachelor of Science in the College of Business and Public Administration in 1953 and then served as a Captain in the US Air Force (1953-1955) and in the Air Force Reserves until 1962. Following his service, he had a long career in advertising and marketing in the New York metropolitan area, including at Chesebrough-Ponds, the Shulton Company, and later the US Chamber of Commerce. He founded the Farmington-based Raymond Marketing Group in 1989. Bill and his first wife Dorothy settled in Connecticut and later Long Island where they raised three daughters. He married his second wife, Frances Whitten Raymond in 1975 and they relocated to Farmington, Connecticut. They enjoyed life in the Pinnacle Orchards neighborhood for more than 30 years, while also traveling extensively. Their beautiful home was the center of gatherings of their blended family of seven children, grandchildren and many dogs. Bill gave generously of his time and expertise as a member and longtime Chair of the Farmington Republican Town Committee as well as the Republican State Central Committee.
Bill was known for his friendly demeanor, impeccable attire, and positive attitude. He was an avid reader, history buff, and lover of dogs. He was keenly interested in hearing about his family's successes as well as challenges, always providing upbeat and useful advice. His eternal optimism and strong will enabled him to recover from a life-threatening illness a decade ago; after which he continued to enjoy life as a widower at Middlewoods of Farmington, and later near his daughter in Pasadena, CA, where he basked in the southern California sun.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife W. Frances (Lanigan, Whitten) Raymond, his first wife Dorothy (Andrews, Raymond) Sarter, sister Elizabeth (Raymond) Bares, and two nephews. He is survived by his daughters: Dana Raymond (Salisbury, MD), Lynn Raymond and husband Tim Murphy (Vancouver, BC), and Carol Raymond and husband Steve LaBrecque (Altadena, CA); step-daughters Cherie (Whitten) Byrne and husband Patrick Byrne (Huntsville, AL), Deborah Whitten (Laurel, MD) and Laurie Whitten (W. Suffield, CT); step-son Gary Whitten (Laurel, MD); niece Barbara Bares and husband Marc Efron (Wash. DC); as well as ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Unionville, CT, on Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 4 pm to 7 pm. On Friday, April 21, 2023 a memorial service will be held at the St. James Episcopal Church, 3 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT, at 11 a.m. with the burial immediately following at the Riverside Cemetery, 160 Garden St., Farmington, CT.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the UConn Health Research Center or Best Friends Animal Society. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com.