DRIVER—William Raymond, III, (Bill) of Ottawa, Canada, died on March 30, 2025 after a long, happy and productive life, and an 18-month illness. Bill is so sadly missed by his wife Susan, with whom he spent more than 20 adventurous, warm and laugh-filled years. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his sons Nick of San Francisco, Tim (Lisa) of Boston, and Mark (Claire) of Los Angeles; his stepsons Matthew (Allison) and Daniel Abbott; nine grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren. He also leaves his four sisters—Sally of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Senta of New York, New York; Mary of Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Emily of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
While he spent slightly more of his life in the U.S., Bill was first a resident and then a citizen of Canada, starting in the late 1980s, and said that many of his best years were spent north of the border. His wide group of Ottawa friends frequently traveled with him and his wife Susan to fall getaways on Cape Cod and winter escapes to Charleston, South Carolina.
Bill was a distinguished banking executive who held leadership roles at Scotia Bank, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the Bank of Boston and Morgan Guaranty. His leadership abilities led him to two overseas posts, one in London and the second in Tokyo, where he led the Bank of Boston’s Japan office.
Bill was always a gentleman and always so happy to entertain or be with his friends - he was a great conversationalist. One of his most notable talents was as a singer; he was a member of dozens of formal and informal choruses throughout his life, with an impressive vocal range, memory for lyrics and musical sight-reading ability. Among other musical genres, madrigals were a favorite, and his passion for a four-part harmony was only matched by his desire to ensure his fellow choristers stayed in tune.
A lifelong athlete, he captained the Harvard Varsity Soccer Team, and was a three-letter athlete at Milton Academy. Even in later years, Bill was a passionate teacher and learner, known for sharing his love of golf, horseback riding, sailing, golf, bridge, and spirited “porching” conversations, particularly during summers on Cape Cod.
His warmth, intelligence, and natural leadership abilities were evident early. At Milton Academy (Class of 1957), Bill was remembered as a hard working student and thoughtful, fun-loving friend, one with a reliable sense of humor. At Harvard (Class of 1961), he gained the admiration of his classmates not only for his athleticism and intellect, but for his gift for connecting with others—always knowing how to make someone feel at ease or laugh out loud.
Bill’s four sisters remember him as both a loyal brother, open thinker and irrepressible mischief-maker. He carried his fierce sense of devotion, steady guidance and levity, all the way through his life, staying deeply engaged in the lives of his extended family across multiple generations and continents.
To his sons, Bill was a constant and loving presence. Whether practicing soccer skills with his boys, winning a tennis match with his partner, leading impromptu lessons in chess or bridge with his grandkids, or guiding a student how to chart a better course on Vineyard Sound, Bill taught with equal parts patience, curiosity, and play. For his sons and grandkids, he remained a steady source of wisdom, laughter and guiding hand in their lives.
Memorial service for family and friends will be at St Bartholomew ‘s Anglican Church in Ottawa on June 13th. There will also be a private burial in the Boston area in July. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Love and condolences