Mr. Willie G. Rainey

Willie George Rainey was born October 8, 1933 to Hattie Lee Olds and Walter Daniel Rainey in Dallas County, AL. At an early age he confessed faith in Christ and united with Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend G. W. Sloan in Bessemer, AL. After relocating to Milwaukee in 1955, Willie George and his family initially joined Canaan Baptist Church, pastored by the late Reverend H. Matthew Beecham. They later found a home at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Kenneth A. Bowen, the late Reverend Charles E. Thornhill and current Pastor, Patrick F. Greer, Sr. where he and his wife both continued to support until they were called home. Willie George was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Clara B. Edwards on October 24, 1954 in Bessemer, AL. Together for a total of 69 years, Willie George and Clara were married for 64 years until Clara's passing in December 2018. To this union they were blessed with three children: Kirk, Jacqueline and George Eric. They were also truly blessed with their only grandchild, Myah T. affectionately and truthfully referred to as "the Boss" and "Little Miss". Willie George graduated in 1952 from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Bessemer, AL and continued his educational studies at Marquette University and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MA TC) in Milwaukee, WI. He was proud to have served his country in the United States Army for several years in the 1950's during the Korean War. He was not shy nor boastful. He fully immersed himself in every activity, adventure, occupation, or endeavor that involved calculated risk and life-long reward. He relished every opportunity to "lean forward" in life. Willie George began as a shoeshine stand owner, and through shear willpower and determination he acquired knowledge on everything from automobile repair to gardener, taught himself to run a movie projector and ran movies at the local theatre in Bessemer. As a young man, he parlayed his way from dishwasher to head chef at Milwaukee County Medical Complex (MCMC), a tenure that spanned 35 years. He participated in the Culinary Olympics held in Germany in the 90's and later became an instructor of soul and southern cuisine at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), before his semi-retirement at Sysco Foods; a career that required him to canvas many counties and territories in the state of Wisconsin. He used his skills as a chef to teach soon to be released inmates a lucrative career of food prep and service after their incarceration. No matter where life took him, Willie George energized and inspired everyone to enjoy life and to journey through different cultures using food to bring people together. He was an artist who served people, connecting food and hospitality. He will best be remembered as a devoted Christian, a man of God, a caring family man, the best grandpa, a culinary icon and as someone who never gave up. He will long be appreciated for his generosity and encouragement of others, his determination to accomplish his goals and for his very honest opinion(s), if asked. His favorite phrase, "Thank God for the Blessings" carried him through many great times and times that were not so great. Whether you knew him as Mr. Rainey, Mr. Willie, Willie George or Chef, he was a larger-than-life personality and will be deeply missed by all family and friends. Willie George was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Abraham Lincoln "Skeeta" Moore, Jr., Milwaukee, WI, Willie James "Bae James" Moore, Bessemer, AL, Walter D. Rainey, Jr., Guam; and sisters: Elizabeth Johnson, Julie Rainey Mapp and Doris ''Bobbie'' Rainey Hatten all of Chattanooga, TN. Those left to mourn his loss are his three children, sons: Kirk E. Rainey of Madison, WI, and George Eric Rainey of Decatur, GA; daughter: Jacqueline L. Rainey of Decatur, GA; one granddaughter, Myah T. Rainey, Esquire, of Atlanta, GA. One sister: Jerilyn Gurley, Detroit, MI; five brothers: Willie ''Billy'' Rainey, Chattanooga, TN; Russell Rainey, Decatur, GA; Rev. Timothy Mark (Gloria) Rainey, Huntsville, AL; George (Fayette) Rainey, Detroit, MI; and Elder Dr. Jeffrey T. (Carolyn) Rainey, Mobile, AL; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives, all of whom will miss him dearly.

Mr. Willie G. Rainey

October 8, 1933 - January 7, 2023