Raymond Herbert Bannister, age 83, passed away on July 16, 2024 in Little River, South Carolina. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend by his two daughters, Janice Bannister of Little River and Sheryl Lyons of Stoughton, Massachusetts. His son-in-law Timothy Lyons and grandchildren Joshua, Madeline and Teddy Lyons will miss his humor and wit. Predeceasing him in peace were his beloved wife Nona Bea (Fox) and his parents Louis and Marie.
Ray called several places home in his lifetime. He was born in Boston and raised in Somerville, Massachusetts. He shared many fond memories of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where he attended summer camp for several years in his youth. The Army sent him to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he married in 1965 and started a 40-year career at International Harvester/Navistar. He raised his family in Indianapolis and Wanamaker, Indiana, enjoying his horse Yorki and listening to gospel favorites from Doug Oldham and The Gaither Trio. His career moved him to the Chicago Headquarters and later to Marshfield, Missouri, where he headed up Navistar’s Marshfield Transportation Products.
Ray and Nona retired to Anderson, SC and enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music concerts and memorable RV trips. They restored a 1966 Chevy Nova together.
After Nona’s passing, Ray moved to Little River, SC with Janice, where they enjoyed breakfast on the beach and hosted family and friends. Ray will be laid to rest at Florence National Cemetery on July 22, 2024 at 1 o’clock p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.
https://myasthenia.org/Support-the-MG-Community/Make-a-Gift/The-Memorial-Garden-Giving-Fund
Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River is serving the family.
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