TUSCALOOSA William Ronald Rainey, age 61, of Tuscaloosa, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at home. Visitation will be Saturday, March 23, 2013, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North. Private graveside services will follow at Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Fayette with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Hubert Rainey.

He is survived by his mother, Melba Rainey; his wife, Debbie Rainey; his son, Robert Rainey; his sister, Wendy Neville (Ronnie); and his aunt, Linda Langford (Bradley).

Ronnie was born February 2, 1952, in Selma, Alabama, the son of Hubert and Melba Rainey. Ronnie graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School with the Class of 1970. He continued his education at the University of Alabama, earning a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. During his career, he was employed with United States Steel Corporation in Birmingham, BF Goodrich in Tuscaloosa, HCA Medical Center in Panama City, Fla., and most recently Davis-Emerson Middle School. After retiring from an engineering career, Ronnie pursued his dream and passion of coaching and teaching middle school students.

Ronnie was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend whose loves included his wife of 39 years, Debbie Rainey; son, Robert Rainey; University of Alabama football; Davis-Emerson Middle School students, staff, and faculty; and the Tuscaloosa County High School Class of 1970.

Pallbearers will be Don Avery, Trey Langford, Carlin Homan, Chad Neville, Dr. Walter Dazie, and Ronnie Neville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama and the Lewis and Faye Manderson Cancer Center.

Published in Tuscaloosa News on March 22, 2013.

Follow this link to read a Letter to the Editor about Ronnie Rainey published in The Tuscaloosa News on Thursday, March 28, 2013.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20130328/NEWS/130329781/1028/opinion