He was born on March 17, 1934, son of the late Henry Dewey and Mary (Archer) Bush.

He was a resident of the Greenford/Salem area all his life. He lived on Middletown Road in Greenford for 40 years in the home he built on part of the Bush family's homestead. He was a graduate of Greenford High School in 1952, and Wittenberg University in 1956, where he majored in Music. He was an active member of his community, serving in teaching and leadership roles at the Greenford Lutheran Church, the Greenford Ruritans, and at his retirement community in Lakeland, Florida, where he and his wife, Betty Jean (Wolford) Bush, wintered for several years.

Raymond taught choral music at Poland Seminary High School and later at West Branch High School for 30 years. During this time, he and Betty owned and operated three area restaurants: Ye Olde Coffee Cup, Bush's Family Restaurant, and the Patio Restaurant. Upon retiring from teaching, he took a position at Truman's International, started an upholstery business, and later worked as a school bus driver for South Range and Canfield schools.

As a high school choral instructor, Raymond positively influenced the lives of hundreds of his students. He directed more than a dozen musical productions over this time, and was instrumental in the formation of West Branch High School's popular show choir, 'Young and Alive', which successfully competed at the national level. He was consistently voted as one of the best-liked teachers by his students before retiring from teaching in 1987. Raymond was also active in barber shop quartets, performing as a member of the Greenford Ruritones and later as part of the Salem Jubilee Chorus. He also directed various area church and adult choirs throughout his career.

Raymond and Betty lived a service-oriented life and made sure others received the love and care they needed. They served as foster parents for over 25 years, raising 30 foster children over that span.

He is survived by his children, Constance Marie Bush of Erie, Pa., Timothy Ray (Julia) Bush of Henderson, NV., and Nicholas Noah (Nicole) Bush of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a daughter-in-law Jeanette Bush of Urbana, Ohio, and eight grandchildren: Clayton Kellner, Christopher Fisher, Kelly and Ian Bush, Korina (Matthew) Dickinson, Elise Bush, Jordan Kriegel, and Henry Bush. He is also survived by a brother, Joseph T. (Carol) Bush, of Canfield and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death on May 15, 2014 by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jean (Wolford) Bush, whom he married on June 12, 1955, a daughter Tamara Sue Bush, and a son, Steven Arthur (Jeanette) Bush. Two brothers, George A. (Ruth) Bush and William (F. Eileen) Bush, and two sisters, Martha (George) Schuette and Bonita Bush also preceded him in death.

Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the music fund at Greenford Lutheran Church.