William C. Raysor

On Feb. 15. 2013, after 3 1/2 years of battling cancer with chemo and radiation, Bill entered heaven. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his family.

Bill was born on August 7, 1933. He graduated from Whittier High School in 1951, and then went on to college to major in math.

He then served 4 years in the Navy, also serving in the Korean War as an engineer where he repaired radar and radios aboard the ships. He was stationed at Treasure Island in San Francisco, CA.

Bill met his wife of 34 years at McDonald Douglas Mission and Space Division in Huntington Beach CA. in 1966, where Karen was a secretary and Bill was a technical writer.

During their courtship, Bill coached Karen's boys in little league baseball and took the three of them out constantly.

Bill also had two children, whom Karen loved dearly.

Bill and Karen married on March 29. 1968. On March 28, 1969, they had their daughter Diane. Bill joined the Lutheran Church where Karen attended and that is where Bills church serving career began. He served in as many capacities of the church as he was able.

Having transferred employment to Northrop Grumman, Bill quickly became Manager, and the liaison between the United States, Europe, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He remained there for 17 years, managing the building of the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

Bill retired from Northrop in 1993. Their retirement led them to Prescott, AZ, where they resided in a beautiful home on a golf course. Their lives shifted a degree when they moved to Sun City to care for Karen's aging mother. After a couple of house purchases they finally settled on the best street in Sun City, in the Riverview Golf course area.

Cancer of the bladder was discovered in March 2006 and Bill opted for surgery, which at that time, the cancer was removed. He was in remission for 3 years. In 2009, he was discovered to have Multiple Myeloma (cancer of the blood plasma cells), that later became extramodullary disease, which further complicated the cancer. Bill was one of 2 people in the United States to have this rare cancer. The head of the cancer unit at the Mayo Clinic took a special interest in Bill, due to the rarity of his cancer. Bill was his study subject, which is, and will continue to be researched and taught throughout the world to oncologists, for Multiple Myeloma.

He was loved very much by all who crossed his path. He was positive and strong, thoughtful, giving, loving and caring, and funny...oh so funny, but most important, Bill was a true servant to God. To sum it up, he was a great man of faith who always put his family first.

Bill is survived by his wife Karen, daughters Debbie Mundell (Mark), Diane Alvarado (Floyd), and sons Craig Abbond (Terri), and Troy Abbond (Karey), 9 grandchildren, and 2 great Grandchildren. Another saint has entered heaven.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Psalm 116.15

Memorial service will be held Saturday February 23, 2013 at 12:00pm located at Life in Christ Lutheran Church at 14802 N 75th Ave, Peoria, AZ 85381. Funeral arrangements made by Sunland funeral home for more information or to leave a tribute for Bill please visit www.sunlandmemorial.com