William Lewis Rainbolt, born April 2, 1954 at Christian Welfare Hospital, East St. Louis, IL, passed away at home on May 16, 2016 after a long-term battle with diabetes. Known best as “Billy” to those close to him, he was the son of the late Elsie Rose (Jett) Rainbolt and the late James Harrison Rainbolt Jr. of Belleville. Billy is survived by his beloved daughters Elyse Diane Rainbolt of St. Louis, MO, Cherise Rose Rainbolt of Denver, CO, Hannah Leigh-Ann Rainbolt of San Diego, CA, Janae Ruth Rainbolt of San Diego, CA, his identical twin brother Robert Allen Rainbolt of Belleville, sisters Kathleen Joy Rainbolt of Belleville and Dr. Rosemary (Roger) Vergin of Poulsbo, WA, and many caring nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and his ninety-year-old “Aunt Sody” (Josephine Hoffmann) of Greenville, IL. Billy’s older brother, James Harrison Rainbolt III, passed away in 2014. Uncle Billy was especially close to his cherished nephew, Aaron Rainbolt, of Medford, OR, and felt indebted to the support and caring interest of his many friends, including John Adams and Carla Engel, both of Belleville, cousin Pat Piety of Enid, OK and niece Lisa (Rainbolt) Maher of Austin, TX.

Billy grew up in Belleville, attended Union School and West Junior High, was a 1972 graduate of Belleville Township High School West, and attended Belleville Area College. As a young man he was a gymnast and competed in track and field, breaking state records for the high jump. He is remembered for his wit and humor, his many creative pursuits, especially as a talented bass guitar player, lifelong music aficionado, horticulturist, licensed ham radio operator, ingenious master of Morse code, restorer of antique automobiles and motorcycles, and designer of eclectic clothing and home interiors. He was handsome, and could be funny, tender, or tough. He was the perfect amalgam of Jim Carey and Clint Eastwood. A skilled professional painter by trade, Billy was proud of being included in the restoration of Belleville’s historic Lincoln Theater on East Main Street. He generously painted homes of friends and relatives near and far, and enjoyed teaching others in the skills of the trade. Billy pursued traveling, reading and research, and loved old movies (especially It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World) and classic cartoons. Though he often struggled with difficulties in life, he made time for helping others and finding beauty in the natural world. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

May 20th, Billy was cremated at Kalmer Memorial Services in Lebanon, IL. His four daughters, friends and loved ones will scatter his ashes. A guitar-emblazoned memorial stone for Billy will be placed next to the graves of his parents at St. Clair Memorial Park Cemetery in Fairview Heights, IL, lot 162, Section A-1. The time and date of the stone setting memorial service will be announced.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Billy" Rainbolt, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.