Bill was a true gentleman and an old soul. He was also a quiet, kind, and unassuming person with a humble demeanor that camouflaged his many talents and successes. Bill was a gifted Jack of many trades, and his legion of admirers was vast! And although Bill was different things to different people to all, he was genuinely appreciated for his competence, his wit and his solid character. 

Born in Quincy, MA, in 1952, Bill was one of 3 sons to Janet (Costello) and William Charles “Lefty” Raymer. Bill was an Alter boy, a boy scout, a business owner, entrepreneur, real estate investor, co-founder of Adventure Camp, and of Rustic Chic Retreat, a family compound and vacation destination. He was also owner and originator of Restoration Resources, a nationally known architectural salvage firm.

Bill’s initial foray into business started soon out of high school, when he became one of several young owners of Miller Reprographics, a Quincy printing company that specialized in reproducing architectural blueprints. Bill’s hard work and contributions helped turn Miller into a successful business that was purchased several years later by a larger company. After selling Miller, Bill was determined to develop a business that centered around his passions for antique and vintage architectural artifacts. That determination  inspired him to create Restoration Resources, which Bill built from the ground up almost 45 years ago.                                               

Bill combined his appreciation for the sleek mechanical design found in nostalgic technology like jukeboxes, vending machines and neon signs with his commitment to the craftsmanship of architectural gems such as finely carved mantles, stained glass windows and statuary. Restoration Resources became a widely respected and nationally known business, and Bill’s hard work, “curator’s eye” and relentless desire to rescue and preserve the architectural glory of Boston’s past, earned him the reputation as “the go to guy” in New England. 

Bill was a protege of the late Jorge Epstein, who in the 1940’s during Boston’s.Urban Renewal period, pioneered the reclamation of Boston’s historical treasures, previously destined for demolition or dumpsters. When Mr. Epstein passed away, Bill recruited his loyal assistant Walter Santory who remained an integral part of Restoration Resources throughout the years. Bill’s ability to surgically remove historical architectural elements from century old homes, church steeples, and hotels throughout New England was almost as impressive as his store’s inventory..

These reclaimed finds have been repurposed throughout the country in new settings that include contemporary as well as antique homes and a wide range of restaurants and bars throughout New England.  Restoration Resource pieces can also be seen in more than 30 Hollywood movies, national television series, and commercials as props that provide period authenticity.

Bill was a frequent teacher and speaker at local historical organizations and at schools like the Bennett Street School, that are committed to teaching and preserving craftsmanship.. Bill and Brendan Haley, owner of Design Build, spoke annually at conventions such as ABX, one of the largest for the design and construction industry in the country.

Bill’s uncanny ability to find and repurpose venerable objects from the past in new and creative ways resulted in Restoration Resources being featured in numerous publications. His growing notoriety led to appearances on 30 television programs and networks that included WCVB’s “Chronicle”, HGTV, A&E and the PBS series “This Old House”. It’s not unusual even now to see a rerun of the PBS’ series“This Old House” featuring Bill being interviewed on topics such as how to incorporate an antique oak mantle into a newly built home.

Bill’s interests were simple yet expansive. He always  put family first! Bill enjoyed singing and playing his guitar or tinkering with his dozen antique cars. He cherished his Tanqueray and tonics (with a lime) or sipping wine by candlelight. Bill reveled in hosting family events, skiing, or soaking up the sun. He appreciated nature but preferred the very rare opportunities of pampering and perks at a 5 star hotel! Bill had a knack for recalling and reciting lines from movies, or music lyrics. Getting a chuckle out of Bill was akin to receiving a belly laugh from someone else. His eyes sparkled with constant mischief as he observed the world around him wobble on by. 

Bill had conventional values, but was unconventional in so many ways. He lived life on his own terms, not by the expectations and time frames of others. To Bill, success was not measured by money or milestones, but simply by a job well done and the connections he had with the people he loved.  Those who knew Bill knew how sentimental and generous he was and how willing he was to share whatever he had with them. He was devoted to his nieces and nephews who inspired him to create Adventure Camp, sharing experiences together with them like traveling on a house boat in The Thousand Islands, hang gliding, deep sea fishing (With Captain Porgy), white water rafting, rock climbing a 90 degree incline as well as others too risky to mention! More recently,  He developed the Rustic Chic Retreat, on 27 acres of wooded and waterfront property in  NH complete with unique dwellings such as safari tents, yurts, tiny houses, vintage campers and even a repurposed horse trailer, so that family and friends could spend time together. It is also currently enjoyed as a magical vacation retreat for hundreds of tourists, as well as locals. 

Like Bill, each of his business ventures and endeavors were one of a kind. He lived by the motto, “Carpe Diem”, seize the day, and he did just that, daily, month in and month out. 

Bill is survived by, his brother, Jack Raymer, and his wife, Kathleen, his niece Kelly Antonellis, her husband Lawrence, and their children Nicholas and Addison of Weymouth and his cousins Laurie and Deb Doyle and her wife Ann Motyka. He was predeceased by his brother Peter Raymer of Lincolnville, Maine. He was the long time loving partner as well as business partner to Donna Lee Robertson of Milton, and the “brother in law” to Dale Byrne, and her husband (and Bill’s best friend) Bob of Canton, Thom Scott Robertson and his wife Robin of Revere and NH, and Deirdre McWalter and her husband Rob of Bedford.  

Bill was also the devoted uncle to Brendan, Kristen, Brian, Catherine, Aleia, Jillian and Ryan. and great uncle to Rosie, Olivia, Blayke, Caroline, Dorothy, Trey and Julian. 

While Bill did not have any children of his own, he was especially proud to consider Mary Woodleigh and her partner Rob Amendalaro, and Pete Tufts, his wife Lisa, and their son Charlie part of his extended family.

Bill’s family and friends will miss him dearly for his dry humor, his thoughtfulness, his decency, his loyal support for those he loved, and for his earnest authenticity. He was unique; a man arguably born into the wrong decade, whose contributions and spirit will live on for decades to come. Bill was “one of the good ones”! 

Remember, the people you love will not be around forever. Make your moments matter. As Bill would say, “Carpe Diem”.

On April 11th 2026, at 4pm there will be a celebration of Bill’s life and legacy 

April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month. If you wish, contributions in memory of Bill Raymer may be made to the BIDMC Esophageal Cancer Program at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. You can click here, www.bidmc.org/giving. Once you get to the website and choose the amount you’d like to give, you select “select gift designation” and it brings you to a drop down menu. Towards the bottom of the drop down there’s a choice for “Other (specify below).” If you click that, it gives you a space in which to write in  Below that box, you can write in Esophageal Cancer.  You can click the box that says “I am making this gift in honor or in memory of a person important to me” and this will open another space to write in Bill Raymer's name and the name of the person who will be notified of the gift.(Donna Lee Robertson) Or you can also donate by a check made payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center” with “in memory of Bill Raymer & BIDMC Esophageal Cancer Program” in the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or BIDMC, Attention: Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129. Thank you!