Willard Rainey

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Willard "Bill" Rainey, 79, of Advance died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo.

He was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Advance, son of Charles and Lula Raver Rainey. He and Helen Croy were married Aug. 24, 1945, in Piggott, Ark.

Rainey was a heavy equipment operator 40 years with Little River Drainage District. He was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Advance Congregation.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Tom Rainey of Marquand, Mo., Tim Rainey of Advance; a daughter, Nelda Simpson of Advance; a brother, Lowell Rainey of Athens, Ga.; a sister, Francis Sobba of Auxvasse, Mo.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call at Morgan Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Allan Laszewski officiating. Burial will be in Morgan Memorial Park.