Dr. William Asa Raymond, age 76, of Benton, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon, February 28, 2015 at his home in Sugar Loaf Township. Bill had been battling ill health for the past few years.
Bill was a native of McKean County, having been born at Kane Community Hospital on Monday, September 5, 1938, as the eldest child of Frank C. and Dorothy E. (Rhodes) Raymond. He grew up on his parent's farm in Wrights Corners, Pennsylvania. He was not only born in McKean County, but he was born again in McKean County at the Rew EUB Church on February 10, 1951. He graduated from Keating Township Schools in 1952 and from the Bradford High School in 1956. He preached his first sermon at the Coleville EUB Church, the church he attended as a youth.
Bill attended Houghton College and Faith Theological Seminary. He graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelors Degree, and earned his Master's from the Faithway Baptist College. Bill was also awarded an honorary doctor of divinity from Faithway Baptist College. He was pastor of three churches in New Jersey, the Bible Protestant Church in East Paterson, the Calvary Bible Protestant Church in Masonville and the Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Mt. Laurel. He was also pastor of two churches in Michigan, Genesee Independent Baptist Church in Flint and the Antrim Baptist Church in Byron. Bill was the pastor of two churches in Pennsylvania, locally at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Millville and the Faith Baptist Church in Bradford. Bill was ordained in 1963, and concluded his ministry at the Faith Baptist Church in Bradford on April 26, 2013. In the fall of 2013, he was called to come back locally to the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Millville where he pastored from 1985 to 1997.
Bill also served as an evangelist, he taught at the Flint Bible Institute, served as an administrator in three Christian schools, the Genesee Christian School, the Fowlerville Baptist School and the Faith Christian School. Bill also conducted weekly radio broadcasts for four different stations, and served as the President of two fundamental church groups, the IFBAM and the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches. He was currently serving on the Executive Committee of the American Council of Christian Churches. In addition to his ministries, Bill was also an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan for over sixty years. His interest in the Phillies began in the late 1940's when the Phillies had a farm team in Bradford. He also enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles and the Penn State Football teams as well as the Bob Jones University sports teams.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a son: John Robert Raymond on August 13, 2000; and also by a younger brother, Frank C. Raymond, Jr. in 1985.
On April 16, 1963, Bill married his wife, Barbara Lea Miller in East Smethport. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on April 20, 2013. Barbara has been his best friend, and has served with him in his ministries faithfully since their marriage. Surviving are three children: Mary Sampey and husband, Tim, of Clinton Township, MI; Jeanne M. Raymond who serves as a missionary in the Philippines; Asa A. Raymond of Smethport; two grandchildren: Elizabeth Hanley and husband, Brandon, and Tammie Sampey; and two great-grandsons: Nolan G. Hanley and Tyler W. Hanley.
A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday morning, March 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1314 State Route 254, Millville, PA 17846.
Funeral services will also begin on Friday morning, March 6 at 11 a.m. from the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Millville with personal friend, Rev. Paul Conner, co-officiating with his pastor, Rev. Timothy Valiante. Bill will be laid to rest beside his late son, John, in the Millville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Bill's name are suggested to: Bob Jones University Timothy Fund, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, NC 29614 or the Emmanuel Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 1314 State Route 254, Millville, PA 17846