William L. "Buddy" Rainer, Jr.

Private family graveside services for Mr. William L. “Buddy” Rainer, Jr. will be held at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Rainer, age 90, of Meridian passed away on September 8, 2025 at James T. Champion Nursing Facility.

Mr. Rainer honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corp. He retired from Mississippi Power Company after 35 years of service. He was a founding member of the Longhorn Riding Club on Lover’s Lane. Mr. Rainer loved to cook for his family and large groups of friends. His annual Halloween hog cookings were a fun tradition. He was truly one-of-a-kind. He was a wonderful father and grandfather who truly loved his girls.

Survivors include his daughters, Penny Pierce (Phil), Lisa Gipson, and Sandy Rainer; granddaughter, Katherine Gipson; one great-grandson, Ryder Larson; brother, Charles E. Rainer; and a cousin, Ann M. Watts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Mildred Rainer; the mother of his children, Martha Rainer; uncle, C.P. Maxwell; and his aunt, Katherine Maxwell.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Gentiva Hospice, especially Brandy, Cocoa, Kara, Taylor, Tasha, and Tiffany for their exceptional care. They would also like to thank the staff at James T. Champion Nursing Facility for their care.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in memory of Mr. Rainer to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.