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William Rayder

William “Will” Rayder packed a lot of living into his 43 years. The passionate traveler, fisherman, philosopher, and friend passed away in Boston on Sept. 12, after surgery for spinal stenosis.

The son of Randee Randall Jermainne and William Rayder, Will was born on April 1, 1980, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown and started his travels through life in Deep River.

He was always drawn to the water. Will and his friends could often be found camping, boating, and especially fishing on the Connecticut River. At the age of eight, he landed an impressive largemouth bass, which his proud grandmother had taxidermied and still hangs in his mother’s home. His mother always said, “Will didn’t go fishing; he caught fish.”

He was the father to Aydan and Willy; his family circle includes loving parents Randee Randall Jermainne and Kevin Jermainne of Chester, and Billy Rayder and the late Clare Rayder of Old Saybrook; siblings, Ben, Julia, Meghan, and Brigid Rayder, Ricky, Penni, Shawn and Aaron Atkinson; special friend Sahmar Nacino Ahmed of the Philippines; and dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Will went to Deep River Elementary, Xavier High School, graduated from Valley Regional High School, and attended Paul Smith College. He enjoyed sports and was a standout Little League baseball pitcher and football player. An animal whisperer, Will had many pets, and his dogs, especially Khan and Lily, were beloved companions.

He made his living on the water; his passion took him from commercial fishing on Georges Banks to working as a fishing guide in Alaska and from working on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico to serving in the Military Sealift Command. Will traveled the world for work and pleasure. One of many quotes Will shared about living life was, “Keep not standing, fixed and rooted. Briskly venture, briskly roam.” He always followed that advice. Among his most special trips were two taken with Aydan: exploring British Columbia and walking the Camino from France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, when Aydan was seven years old. Wherever he traveled, Will made friends, and he often shared his photos as well as his thoughts on social media. Dozens of friends have posted since his passing, remembering Will’s helpfulness, kindness, and unconventional philosophy. Some friends posted: “My protector always,” “he was a light to so many of us,” and “You lived life to the full, that is for sure.”

Fitting of his life at sea, we wish Will fair winds and following seas. In lieu of flowers, in Will’s memory, take care of someone less fortunate than yourself.

Viewing and visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon on Friday, Sept. 22, at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Please feel free to wear a Hawaiian shirt.