Sr. Bill Raymer

Mr. William Barker Raymer, Sr., 97, of Statesville, passed away Friday, January 27, 2012 at Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Raymer was born April 23, 1914 in Iredell County and was the son of the late Dewey Little Raymer, Sr., and Ethel Estelle Barker Raymer. He attended Iredell County schools and on November 29, 1937, he married Rubye Mae Sells Raymer, who preceded him in death on July 13, 1997. He served in the Merchant Marines prior to WWII and was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He founded Raymer Oil Company in 1939 and him and his brother, D.L. Raymer, Jr., ran the oil company for many years. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Raymer was also preceded in death by four brothers, Augustus Barker Raymer, Dewey Little Raymer, Jr, Furches Barker Raymer and Dr. James Barker Raymer along with two sisters, Marilaura Raymer Smith and Ethel Raymer Briggs. He is survived by his children, William Barker Raymer, Jr. and wife Teddi of Mooresville, Linda R. Bennett of Wadkinsville, GA and Michael Sells Raymer and wife Cheryl of Statesville. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Kevin Michael Raymer and wife Mandy, Kristen Meredith Raymer Webb and husband Jeff, Joseph William Bennett and wife Misty, Courtney Bennett, Adam Michael Raymer, Jarred Daniel Raymer and Audra Leigh Raymer. He is further survived by five great-grandchildren, Austin William Webb, Cameron Nicole Webb, Olivia Nelse Earnest, Zara Dinkinesh Bennett and Zoe Browning Raymer. Graveside funeral services were conducted 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Jeff Jacobs officiating. Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625 or to St. John's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 943, Statesville, N.C. 28687. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries . Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. William Barker Raymer, Sr.