William C. 'Bill' Rainey

William C. Rainey died Tuesday evening, September 17, 2013 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. Bill, as he was called by his friends, was 58 years old, and had been a resident of Abilene since 1996. Bill was born October 22, 1954 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Tommy and Claudia Rainey. He graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1972 and received his degree from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas in 1976. Bill attended the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1980. While completing his general surgery residency, he married Sandy Yates. They had three sons. Dr. Rainey practiced general surgery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Brownwood, Texas. He then completed a plastic and reconstructive fellowship in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and opened a practice in Abilene, Texas. Bill was an avid outdoorsman, horseman, and polo player. He instilled a great love for horses, guns, and the outdoors in his three boys. He also loved reading history and discussing those stories with his friends and sons. However, his great passion in life was practicing medicine. Bill is survived by his three sons, Walker, Tyler, and Cole Rainey, the mother of his children, Sandy Rainey, and his mother, Claudia Ann Rainey. He was preceded in death by William Thomas “Chubs” Rainey, Jr. “Daddy was a good doctor and a good guy. Now he’s ‘up there’ playing with the best of them on the big polo field in the sky!” The family wishes to thank Keith Smith and Dr. Don Wehmeyer for the years of steadfast friendship and camaraderie. Memorials may be made to the Reeve Foundation, 636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078. A family visitation will be held at his home, 6815 Hardwick Road, on Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 2-4 pm. Local arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.