William Fleming Rainey Jr

Video Memories of Mr. Bill RaineyMr. William Fleming "Bill" Rainey, Jr., 80, retired from the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service and long-time resident of Confederate Drive, died peacefully in his sleep with family by his side, Sunday, December 18, 2005 at Life Care Center. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Steve Thomas and Dr. Bill Williamson officiating. Burial will be in the Cross Bridges Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors at graveside provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1212, Columbia, 38402, First Presbyterian Church Dome Fund, 801 South High Street, Columbia, 38401 or Cross Bridges Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Kenny Cecil, 3097 Hampshire Pike, Mt. Pleasant, 38474. Notes of sympathy may be made to www.oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the son of the late William Fleming Rainey, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Brannon Rainey. Immediately following graduation from Columbia Central High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operation stationed in Guam. He earned the AP Theatre Ribbon and two bronze service stars during his time in service through March 1946. Following the war he attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Upon his return to Maury County, he taught Veterans Agriculture at Spring Hill High School and later at Columbia Central High School. He served as a Tennessee State Park Ranger at Standing Stone State Park near Livingston. He was married September 17, 1947, to the former Dorothy Cecil of Cross Bridges, at Parsons Place, the home of her aunt on West Seventh Street. In 1950, the Rainey family opened Woodland Pool on the southside of their property between West Ninth Street and Hatcher Lane and operated this unique facility until 1965. Mr. Rainey engaged in work with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, working with, assisting, and advising farmers in the area from 1960 until his retirement in February of 1983. A life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, he served as Elder, Deacon and chairman of the property committee, was tireless in his efforts to secure funds for the preservation and restoration of the church's dome. Mr. Rainey was active in the work of the Boy Scouts of America, served as assistant Scout Master of Troop #109, and was the recipient of the Long Rifle Award for his many years of service and support. He was a member of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19, the Maury County Historical Society and former member of the Advisory Board of Maury Regional Hospital. In recent years, he photographed wildflowers and conducted excursions and hikes in various locations across the state and assisted park rangers as well as the public in the education and appreciation of native growth. A number of his photographs during these excursions were published by the Tennessee Native Plant Society. In 1974, the Rainey Family made a gift of their farm to the City of Columbia for use as a public park. He and Mrs. Rainey were also instrumental in the restoration of Cross Bridges Methodist Church Cemetery. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Cecil Rainey of Columbia; a daughter, Linda Rainey Bell Warren of Knoxville; a son and daughter-in-law, William Fleming "Will" (Rose) Rainey of Cross Bridges; a grandson, Nelson Wilkerson Rainey of Cross Bridges; a brother, Joseph M. (Betty) Rainey, Sr. of Seguin, Texas; brother-in-law, Jack Cecil of Cross Bridges; sister-in-law, Ann Rainey Moors of Tucson, Arizona; nieces and nephews, J. M. Rainey, Jr., Frederick Stewart Rainey, Elizabeth Brannon Rainey, Bobby Cecil, Kenny Cecil and Susan Cecil Travis. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Talmadge Martin Warren. Active pallbearers are Randy Stanfill, Mark Hines, Chip Alderson, Freddie Fitzgerald, James Fleming, Mike Williams, Dr. Andy Woodard, Randell Rummage, Dawson Gray, Rainey Gray, Kile Patrick, Johnny Satterwhite, Bill Jones, John McClanahan, Brick Rainey, David Vernon, Bobby Cecil and Kenny Cecil. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Daniel Gray, Jr., Jeff Gray, John Satterwhite, Jack Cecil, Dr. Bob Wilhite, Buddy Marshall, Larry Benderman, Henry Booker, Jr., Ray Porter, Dr. Joe High, Gilbert Orr, W. A. Hunter, William S. Dunnebacke, Dr. J. Wallace Wilkes, Hal Morgan, Houston Crozier, John Morton, Freddie Rich, Dr. William Fuqua, Bill Anderson, Haywood Anderson, Don Anderson, Gordon Travis, employees of Woodland Pool, Maury County farmers and members of Boy Scout Troop #109.