William Parker Raynard

William Parker “Bill” Raynard, age 83, of Pickford, Michigan, died December 23, 2018, in Lake Wales, Florida. He was born August 11, 1935, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to George H. and Irene (Parker) Raynard. Bill grew up on a family farm in Pickford. During high school, he was active in the Future Farmers of America, football and baseball teams, and was a member of the first team that won the U.P. State Championship in track and field, beginning Pickford’s 27 year reign as champions. After high school graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean Gough on November 6, 1954. In 1955, he took over operating the family farm where they raised their two sons, Paul and Alan. On the farm he kept busy milking cows, haying, and making maple syrup. Bill also took over Raynard Insurance, which his father started, and owned it until 2016. For fifteen years, Bill and Norma owned and operated the Village Inn Motel and Restaurant in Pickford. They then went on to purchase the Steppin Out Shoe Store in Sault Ste. Marie from 1981 to 1995. Bill managed the Hendee Tree Farm, for fifteen years where he sold and transplanted trees to many people and business around the area. During retirement, Bill and Norma stayed busy driving people to doctor appointments throughout Michigan for the Department of Human Services and the U.P. Health Plan. Bill was a lifelong member of the Pickford United Methodist Church where he served on many boards over the years. He was active in the Michigan State Grange, serving as the Executive Board Chairman for fifteen years. In the local Grange chapter, he was an active member and had held many positions. He also was a prominent officer on the Board for the Northwoods Christian Camp for over 35 years, active in the origination of the camp while also serving as the chairman for most of those years. Since 1980, Bill could be found at the Chippewa County Fair and at the Stalwart Fair organizing and serving concessions as a fundraiser for the local Grange and more recently, for Northwoods Christian Camp. Bill played softball for many years in adult leagues, both on the church team and on the Village Inn/Slater team. He also was an active bowler in The Masters League in Sault Ste. Marie from the 1960’s to the early 1990’s. In the early 1960’s, he was a referee for the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Bill is survived by his wife, Norma; son, Alan (Karen) Raynard of Pickford, and daughter-in-law, Betty Raynard of Pickford; grandchildren, Tim (Janelle) Raynard, Michelle (Andrew) Saltzman, Katie Raynard, Linda Raynard, Carl Ygeal, and Shannon (Joe) Lawlor; great grandchildren, Ethan, Chloe, Levi, Silas, David, Daniel, Paige, and Chloe; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Hughey of Holland, Michigan. Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Isabel Maynard; son, Paul Raynard; and brother-in-law, Don Hughey. Services will be held Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. The funeral service will begin at 4:00 P.M. with Pastor Tim Bashore conducting the service. Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan. Memorial may be made to Northwoods Christian Camp, P.O. Box 574, or Pickford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 128, both Pickford, MI 49774.

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William Parker Raynard

August 11, 1935 - December 23, 2018