John Wallis Raymond

October 5, 2019
John Wallis Raymond

Gifts & Memorial Donations



John Wallis Raymond passed away at the age of 78 on October 5, 2019 at the Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after a short and unexpected illness. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, combat veteran, and local attorney.

John was born on December 5, 1940 in Fort McClellan, Alabama, to Colonel Allen D. Raymond, Jr. (U.S. Army) and Clara Leonard Raymond, the seventh of their eight children. As an Army dependent, John moved frequently during his childhood, including two assignments in West Germany after World War II, before his father retired and his family settled in St. Petersburg, Florida. John graduated from Bishop Berry High School in 1958 and briefly attended St. Petersburg Community College.

John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 and went on to attend the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he met his future wife, Grace McNamara. He then attended the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, graduating in 1964. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and one day later married the love of his life, Grace.

John and Grace embarked on a 21-year Air Force career while at the same building a loving family. They moved ten times, and raised four boys. Trained as a navigator, John flew thousands of hours in numerous aircraft, including C-141 transports, RB-57F high altitude reconnaissance aircraft, and AC-130 Spectre gunships in combat missions over Southeast Asia. While not flying, John earned a masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois, served as an Air Force civil engineer, taught Air Force ROTC at the Virginia Military Institute, and served on the faculty of the Air Command and Staff College. John was a Master Navigator and his military awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Medals, ten Air Medals, and four Air Force Commendation Medals, as well as numerous other unit and campaign awards.

John retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985 and he and his family moved to Williamsburg, where he attended the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. Upon graduation in 1988, he completed a master of law in taxation at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law and began to practice law in Williamsburg in 1989. In 1990, he opened his own law practice specializing in bankruptcy law. He was joined in his law practice in 2009 by his son, Daniel. At the time of his death, John was a practicing attorney, who was devoted to representing his clients.

John was passionate about Army football and Duke basketball and enjoyed working on projects around the house and spending time in his garden, but he was truly happiest when he was with his family. He enjoyed traveling, playing games with his children and grandchildren, and attending any kind of family gathering. John was a founding parishioner of St. Olaf’s Catholic Church in Norge, where he served as an usher for more than 30 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents and eldest son, Jack. He is survived by his wife Grace, his three sons, Rick, Joe, and Daniel, and eight grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 11:00 am. John will be buried in the U.S. Military Academy cemetery in West Point, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.


Service

Saturday, October 12, 2019
11:00 AM

Saint Olaf, Patron of Norway Catholic Church - Directions
104 Norge Lane
Williamsburg, Virginia 23188
757-564-3819

Purchase Flowers

Subscribe to this Obituary

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  • October 08, 2019
    Tom & Marcia Woodka says:
    John share his love of Army football with our rivalry in the Army - Navy game. While I cheered for Army in all other games, a a Naval Academy grad of ‘62, there was once a year we cheered for a different team! John was a true professional and devoted Catholic. We looked forward to seeing and visiting it the 5: 30 Mass. He will be greatly missed but the thoughts of him will linger forever. May he Rest In Peace. Tom & Marcia Woodka

  • October 10, 2019
    Stephen Weisel says:
    John and I were in the same squad during Beast Barracks in the summer of 1960. We did not maintain close contact afterwards, but I had fond memories of him as a team player and great guy during difficult times. I also tracked him, with pride, after graduation. My sincere condolences to all of his family, and hope that he will rest in peace.

  • October 10, 2019
    Mike Richardson, USMA, Class of 1964 says:
    John, you roomed with Dave White cow and firstie year in Co. D-1. Dave, I know, could snore like thunder, and the D-1 tac, as I recall, treated all cadets like they were plebes! Congratulations on your successful military and legal careers and on a long and happy marriage. It may certainly be said, "WELL DONE."

  • October 11, 2019
    Bradley Hish says:
    He was an employer and a friend. Without his encouragement I would not have gone to college. I will miss being able to chat with him on the phone. I owe who I am today to John Raymond he took me as an assistant with no experience and molded me into a Legal Assistant who got up every day looking forward to going to work. From an old Navy Man… Fair Winds and Following seas.

  • October 12, 2019
    Mel Case says:
    I was most fortunate to have been a roommate of John’s all of plebe year. I struggled as soon as the academic year started and John was not only a great roommate but he was an exceptionally bright and willing tutor for me. I don’t think I would have made it academically that year if it had not been for the help I got from John. His help allowed me stay “pro,” play the corps-squad sports I enjoyed playing and provided the basis for me to make it academically the next 3 years. Many years later we crossed paths while I was at the Air Force War College and he was teaching at Maxwell AFB. A great classmate, roommate, friend, and conscientious professional. I am honored to be one of John’s classmates. “Thank you, John” - Rest In Peace. May God continue to bless your family. Mel