William Raper, Jr.

Mr. William Wood Raper, Jr., aged 91, of Merrimac, MA and more recently Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born in High Point, NC on July 5, 1927 to William Wood Raper, Sr, and his wife, Louise Withers.  He enlisted in the US Navy at the end of World War II and served on the U.S.S. Sicily. After being discharged on July 18, 1946, he attended NC State University where he earned a degree in Engineering General. William was a gifted musician, sang in choruses throughout his school years, and was a devoted church choir member at Highland Presbyterian in Winston-Salem, and then in the Congregational Church of Merrimac, MA. He was a fine cellist. He was one of the earliest members of the Winston-Salem Symphony where he met his first wife, Minnie Lou Dent. They were married on June 15, 1951 and had two children, Margaret Lou and Victor William.  He worked for Western Electric in Winston-Salem before being transferred to the Merrimac Valley Works Massachusetts location in 1972 from which he retired. While living in Massachusetts, he met and married Geraldine Lagammo on October 12, 1974. William bought and lovingly restored a beautiful 100-year-old home in Merrimac, MA. After retirement, he pursued his many interests. He and Geraldine enjoyed extensive travel and sang in several musical groups, most notably performing roles in productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. William played cello in the Melrose Symphony Orchestra and particularly enjoyed playing in a piano trio with his friends Marilyn Randall, pianist and Robert Sanferrare, violinist. William loved gardening, woodworking and golf. He handcrafted beautiful pieces of furniture and made many fine violins, violas, and cellos. When Geraldine began to suffer with Parkinson’s disease, William was her devoted caregiver until her death in 2017. William recently moved back to Winston-Salem where he resided in the Homestead Hills Retirement community. William is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Austin Raper and James Withers Rader; his former wife Minnie Lou Raper, and his wife, Geraldine Lagammo Raper. He is survived by one brother, Franklin Leon Rader (Jewell) Gallatin, TN; his children, Margaret Lou Rehder (David) Winston-Salem, NC and Victor William Rader (Janet) Redmond, WA; his grandchildren, Kyle William Rader and Christine Nicole Rader. He leaves behind many wonderful friends, extended family members and acquaintances who all knew him as a kind and true gentleman. Many thanks to the staff at Homestead Hills for their compassionate care of William. A memorial and graveside service will take place in Merrimac, MA at a date to be determined. Arrangements are through Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pilgrim Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Merrimac, MA 01860, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.Hayworth-Miller.com.