Raymond M. Napier

1944 - 2025

Raymond M. Napier, 81, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. He was born Oct. 13, 1944, to Sylvester and Genevieve (Yarosz) Napierkowski, in Natrona Heights. Following his high school graduation from Har-Brack High School, he served in the United States Navy before attending Duquesne University and briefly working as a reporter for the Valley News Dispatch. During his tenure with the paper in the late 1960s, he won the Golden Quill Award for Excellence in Journalism for an expose he published about a local outlaw motorcycle club, which he embedded himself within for several months. For the piece, Raymond took inspiration from one of his favorite authors, Hunter S. Thompson. He then went on to work in the radio business with several different stations, rounding out his career as a sales executive for WDVE, Pittsburgh. Raymond enjoyed fine food, drink, and music, as well as traveling to exotic locales. Survivors include his son, Jason (Michelle) Napier; and his grandsons, Shane and Ty Napier, of Lower Burrell. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his only brother, Thomas Napierkowski. All services and private burial will be in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Arrangements by DUSTER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES INC., 347 E. 10th Ave., Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Visit dusterfuneralhomeinc.com.