William Rainwater

William A. "Bill" Rainwater passed away July 18, 2005, at his home, in the arms of his wife and surrounded by his family.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 10:00 AM at OakCrest Funeral Home, with Pastor Mike Toby officiating, assisted by Jim Gray, Associate Pastor.

Bill was born August 30, 1927 in Mulberry, Kansas. He was the only child of the Rev. William F. and Naomi "Dacelo" Rainwater.

Bill grew up in Blue Mound and Ottawa, Kansas, where he received his education.

At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Marine Corp serving in the Pacific until the end of World War II. After his discharge he returned to Kansas. Bill was married to Alpina Brown of Ottawa, Kansas from 1947-1965 and they shared three children: Larry, Gregg, and Stephanie.

Bill married his wife Sara (Tilghmon) Rainwater in 1972 in Pine Mountain, Georgia and they lived in Kansas City during their first years of marriage.

They moved to Texas in 1979 to take care of their property at Buchanan Dam, and in 1981 moved to Waco where Bill worked at Time Manufacturing, retiring as Chief Engineer in 1987. Bill was a past member of the Senior Kiwanis Club, and was an active member of First Woodway Baptist Church.

To those who knew him he was a caring and faithful friend. To his family he was a loving, wise, and compassionate husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He treasured his family and friends and he loved them unconditionally.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Sara Jean, son Larry Rainwater of Waco, son Gregg Rainwater, daughter Stephanie Amos, both of Georgia; his stepdaughter Maureen Rainwater, stepson Charles Braswell and wife Jill, and 13 grandchildren including Stephanie Hutto and husband Don David, Liza Mitchell and husband Dean, Zeke Pike, Katie and Robert Pitts, all of Waco, Bart Braswell of Newnan, Georgia, Cody Braswell and wife Amy of Yakima, Washington, and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the loving care Bill received from the Scott & White Hospice, especially Maryann and Tammy, and the Hospice volunteers.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Scott & White Hospice.

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