1928
2014
RAINES Sr., BILLY L. –
Passed away March 9, 2014 in Spokane, WA, home is Davenport, WA. He was born January 7, 1928, in Brainerd, MN, to Harvey and Florence (Lytle) Raines. The family moved to Otis Orchards, WA when he was 14- a sophomore in high school, where he lived until he joined the US Navy on January 11, 1946. He came home from naval boot camp and married Irene Simpson, on March 19, 1946 in Post Falls, ID. While in the Navy he was at the Atomic Bomb test on Bikini Atoll. After being discharged from the Navy they returned to Otis Orchards where they lived for 51 years and in the home he built. In 1948, he went to work for Kaiser Aluminum where he was a crane operator, fireman guard, and mechanic. He retired in 1982 after 34 1/2 years. While in Otis Orchards he attended the Otis Orchards Community Church, Carey Memorial Baptist Church and Valley Fourth Church. They moved to Miles in 1993 and attended the Trinity Bible Fellowship and in 1994 helped established the Lake Roosevelt Bible Church where they are still attending. Many decades were spent at Lake Roosevelt with his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, swimming, skiing, riding and cruising on the lake on the pontoon boat and collecting his wonderful train videos at home. They first came to Fort Spokane/Lake Roosevelt in 1959 and loved the area, bought the cabin in 1962 where many hours were enjoyed. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1957; he loved the Lord and served faithfully. He is a US Navy Veteran, member of VFW post #7480 and United Steel Workers Local 338. He is survived by his wife Irene Raines at home, a sister June Hopkins, in Spokane, 4 children, Bill (Judy) Raines JR, June (Clarence) Chitwood, Linda Raines and (Fiancée Greg Park), and Ruth Hillyard. He has 11 grandchildren, Amber (Jared) McKee, Alisha Raines, Kelsey Raines, Heather Flanigan, Carrie Morton, Jeff (Erica) Bush, Triscia (Dirk) Wiggers, Mark (Crystal) Bush, Kelly Morrison, Ryan (Fiancée Holly) Hillyard, and Timothy Hillyard. 15 great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Paislee, Travis, Sabrina, Austin, Ashlynn, Lexy, Carissa, Justin, Ian, Isabelle, Tyler, Nya, Alex, Emmett, along with several adoring nieces and nephews and longtime friend Kathy Phillips Gordon. He is preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Florence Raines and an infant brother. Graveside service will be held Friday, March 14, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will follow at 1:00 pm at the Trinity Bible Fellowship in Davenport with Pastor Steve McLachan officiating. Mr. Raines with lie in state at the STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT WASHINGTON on Thursday, March 13, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill's honor to the Lake Roosevelt Bible Church Missionary Fund, 106A View Court Seven Bay, WA 99122 or to his granddaughter Kelsey Raines (Missionary in Belize) 12124 E. Skyview, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Please sign the online guest book at www.stratefuneralhome.com. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT WA is caring for the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 17, 2014
Marian Cochrane
Irene and family,
May the Lord comfort you all. I have been thinking of Bill and Irene for several months. Life has been on full speed for ever. So many changes but one thing for sure... Bill and Irene were my spiritual parents for growth in the Lord. They were the greatest my life is so much richer for having them in my life. Marian (Mary) Kuhlman - Cochrane
March 15, 2014
malena simpson
My prayers goes out to aunt Irene and the family.
March 12, 2014
Ryan Hillyard
May you be remembered always
March 12, 2014
Bill and his family attended the Otis Orchards community church where my husband, Byron, was the pastor for eight years. Bill and Irene, as well as their children and extended family became best friends to us and we have always loved them and have great memories of them. Bill was faithful to The Lord,the church and his family, I never knew him to waver.
I like the thought that Byron preceded him to heaven by a couple of months and was there to greet him.
Bill, can words tell what Heaven is really like?
My love and prayers for comfort all those who feel their loss.
Kathy Evans
March 12, 2014
Ryan Hillyard
He was the one and only real father that I had, i loved him and respected him probably more then anyone i ever loved and respected. I will miss him so much but i do know he is in a much better place. Love u Grandpa.
March 12, 2014
Bill and Irene were another set of parents to me growing up and my being friends with Ruth. Bill Jr. and my brother were good friends also. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family at this difficult time. Yvonne (Drake) Waggoner Sprague, Wa.
March 12, 2014
I graduated from cheney high school 1968 with his daughter Linda. I remember Bill would stand out by the bus stop with her waiting to go to school. Also went to Marshall community search growing up. My family lived on Assembly Road. We were the Russells. May GOD comfort you in your loss. Sincerely Andrea Russell Miller
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