Raymond Peters was born in Blackwell, Arkansas on October 21, 1920, to Gus and Mary Ida Peters. At an early age he decided he wanted to concentrate on football even though he liked all sports. He attended Blackwell Elementary School where he was an excellent student, but it wasn't until he attended junior and senior high school at Morrilton that he began to excel in athletics. At Morrilton he lettered three years in football and track and one year in baseball. It was there too that his leadership skills began to emerge as he became captain of his football and track teams as well as senior class president.

After high school, Peters attended Arkansas Polytechnic Junior College on a scholarship and joined the National Guard. He was called to serve in World War II, where he spent five years ascending to the rank of Captain. While in the Army, he played one year of football for the San Francisco 49ers. After returning to Tech, Peters played for two years (1946-1947) becoming the Outstanding Lineman in the nation for Junior Colleges. He then went on to earn second team All-SWC honors as a lineman for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He would graduate in 1950 from Arkansas receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters in Education Administration.

Peters immediately went to work for the North Little Rock School District as a history teacher and coach. He became the head football coach his second year there taking his team to two winning seasons before accepting an assistant football and track position at Little Rock High (Central) in 1954. In 1957 he was tabbed to be the first-ever head football coach for the newly opened Hall High School, and held that position through 1964. During that time, he took Hall to a Big 9 championship and was the recipient of the Lowell Manning Award as the Arkansas High School Football Coach of the Year in 1959 and again in 1961.

From 1964 to 1986, Peters served as athletic director for the Little Rock Public Schools. During that time he received the Certificate of Appreciation from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Outstanding Athletic Director of Arkansas in both 1974 and 1985, Outstanding Service Award for the American Cancer Society and the Appreciation Award from the Arkansas Athletic Association for his outstanding contributions. One of his far-reaching accomplishments was his contribution as a founding member of the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association.

Peters was deeply involved in numerous civic, charitable and church activities. He was an ambassador at all levels for the city of Little Rock and was known as a man who was constantly seeking ways to "give back" to his community, especially to the children. He opened school doors for the citizens of Little Rock and the students of UALR so that they could seek a healthy lifestyle through physical activities.

After retirement, Peters was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame for football (1996), the Arkansas Tech University Hall of Fame for football (1997) and the Arkansas High School Coaches Association/Arkansas Officials Association Hall of Fame (2003).

Peter was indeed a pathfinder for athletic administration in Arkansas. He has left an indelible print on our state and our profession.