Obituary of Raymond Walter Hines

Raymond Walter Hines, 66, passed away at home in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 21, 2022. Ray was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Joseph and Beverly Hines, and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. Ray’s intellectual curiosity and strong work ethic earned him a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College. Ray graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was the Editor-In-Chief of Kentucky’s oldest law journal and met his wife of 34 years, Bonnie. An accomplished attorney, Ray worked in private practice for nearly ten years before serving as in-house counsel in the pharmaceutical industry. Later, he joined the legal department of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Throughout his career, Ray applied his meticulous attention to detail, parsing complex issues into elegant solutions. His colleagues remember him for his respectful and reassuring presence. Ray brought the same calm dependability to his home life. The quintessential family man, Ray was a devoted and much loved husband, son, father, and brother who placed his family at the center of his life. He is remembered for his quiet words of support, his many small acts of kindness, and a lifetime of selflessness. He brightened the lives of others not only with compassion but also through his keen sense of humor. He was always ready with a witty comment, a lively story, and his easy laugh. As a devoted Christian, Ray appreciated all of God’s creation as seen through his love of nature and animals. Many family vacations were spent hiking in national parks across the country. He and Bonnie also traveled to Europe to explore other cultures and landscapes. He took great pleasure in spending time with his wife and children. He also loved the family dogs, reading, and cheering on his Kentucky Wildcats. Ray is survived by his spouse, Bonnie Atakkaan Hines; mother Beverly Olson Hines; son Matthew Hines; daughter Sarah Hines (Dylan Merrill); and three siblings, brother Russ Hines, sister Ann Hines McCurry (Tony), and brother Robbie Hines (Kim Chamlee). In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Henry Hines. According to his wishes, the family will not be holding a funeral service and will be celebrating his life privately. The family suggests sending memorial contributions to your local Humane Society in Ray’s name. Please share a memory with the family on the Tribute Wall.