WILLIAM "BILL" RAINS
Oct. 24, 1925-Feb. 5, 2018
William Rowe "Bill" Rains, 92, Goldsboro, N.C., passed away Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, after a brief illness.
A celebration of his life will be held Friday, Feb. 9, 2108, with visitation at 10 a.m. in the parlor of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Goldsboro, N.C., followed by funeral services at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jim Harry and the Rev. Phyllis Vail officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at Fellowship United Methodist Church Cemetery near Princeton, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Paul United Methodist Church Music Fund.
Bill was born Oct. 24, 1925, near Princeton, N.C., to the late Hiram and Lena Rains, and graduated from Kenly High School in 1942.
He then served with distinction with the United States Army Air Forces in Europe from 1943 to 1945. Bill was a tailgunner on a B-24 Liberator, flying missions over Germany and occupied Europe. He was awarded two Air Medals with oak leaf clusters, the European Theater Campaign Medal with one Silver Star, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
After the war, Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) in social studies from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in 1950.
In 1951, he married Ruby Lee Pittman.
Bill worked as branch manager at Sherwin-Williams Co. in Goldsboro for 33 years.
Bill retired in 1982, and Bill and Ruby enjoyed a long retirement. They traveled to reunions of his World War II unit, the 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, throughout the United States and Europe.
Bill and Ruby had been members of St. Paul United Methodist Church and a member of the J. Paul Edwards Sunday school class for nearly 60 years.
Bill served the church on the administrative board and the finance committee.
Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruby Pittman Rains; their children, Steve Rains and wife, Lois, of Goldsboro, Debbie Rains Davis and husband, the Rev. Will Davis, of Burgaw, Tim Rains and wife, Julie, of Winston-Salem and Rusty Rains of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Amanda MacDowell and husband, Kelly, of Cary, Jessica Legan and husband, Josh, of Garner, Stephanie Carter and husband, Lee, of Cary, Sam Rains, who is currently serving as a missionary in Bangladesh, Hank Rains of Blacksburg, Va., Ariel Pattillo and husband, Chase, of Wilmington and Abigail Rains of Cullowhee; great-grandchildren, Adelyn and Ava MacDowell and Jenna Legan; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Hiram and Lena Rowe Rains, and his brothers, H.C. "Pete" Rains and John Turner "Jake" Rains all of Kenly, N.C.
The family would like to thank home health care CNAs Arlene White and Ashley Spears for their love and compassion to Bill and the entire family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 7, 2018 8:05 AM