Raynor M. Thatcher, 82

Northborough - Raynor M. Thatcher, 82, formerly of Berlin and Sherborn, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007 following a short illness.

He leaves his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Thatcher; his sons, Mark Thatcher and Scott Thatcher; his daughter, Robin Thatcher; and his grandchildren, Kelsey Holt, Lisa Holt and Sussana Holt. His son, Christopher Thatcher, died in 1986.

Born and raised in Newton, he was the son of the late Charles and Dorothy (Millard) Thatcher. He attended Newton public schools and graduated from Newton High School in 1942 and Northeastern University in 1951.

Mr. Thatcher served during World War II in the United States Army Air Force in the European Theater of operations. He was a flight Engineer gunner for the 15th Air Force based in Italy and flew the B24 Liberator into Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Poland and Yugoslavia and was shot down in Italy.

Mr. Thatcher was a partner with United Welders in Woburn for five years. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Suburban Welders Supply Co. Inc. for 33 years.

He was a lifelong member and past President of the Holliston Sportsman's Association, member of the Southborough Rod and Gun Club Inc., lifelong member of Gun Owners Action League and lifelong member of the National Rifle Association. He was also a longtime instructor of Hunter's Education for the State of Massachusetts

Funeral services were held Sept. 21 at Hays Funeral Home of Northborough, with private burial at Pine Hill Cemetery in Sherborn. Memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Association, 11 Vanderbilt Ave., Suite 105, Norwood, MA 02062.