Beltsville News
Obituary: Lear, William "Bill" Raymond

Lear, William "Bill" Raymond August 6, 1938 ~ August 13, 2022 (age 84)
Beloved husband of Margaret "Emmy" Street Lear for 63 years; Loving father of William Steven, Kathryn Ann, Karen Louise and Kevin Raymond; Also survived by 8 grandchildren.
Bill graduated high school in June 1956 from Montgomery Blair in Silver Spring, MD. In 1957 he enlisted in the Air Force reserves, remaining in the reserves for 8 years. He started a career in Park and Planning in 1957 but began his true career in September 1961 as a Washington, DC Firefighter. He worked his way through several ranks to become Battalion Fire Chief in December 1980 to which he served for 8 years. Due to injuries sustained on the job he retired on disability in June 1989. During retirement he kept himself busy by becoming an umpire for local slow pitch softball leagues.