Billy E. Rains

Billy E. Rains, 89, of Moulton, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday, October 16, 2026 at Lawrence Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM at the funeral Home with B J Strobel, and O. D. Bowling officiating. Burial will be at Moulton Memory Gardens.

Born on March 2, 1937 in Moulton, Alabama to the late Irvin and Eunice Carroll Rains, Billy graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1955, where he excelled in football and baseball. He lettered four years in both sports. After high school, Billy attended the University of Alabama on a football scholarship. Billy always said the football scholarship was the only way he could go to college and get out of the cotton fields.

He was the fist student from Lawrence County to attend Alabama to play football. Billy had a successful career at Alabama where he started first string on the football team when he was a sophomore. Freshmen could not play on the varsity at that time. His Junior year he made All Southeastern Conference Team and honorable mention All-American.

Before his senior year, a new man came to Tuscaloosa as football coach. That man was Paul "Bear" Bryant. Billy got to play one year under Bear.

After college, Billy got a job with Commercial Credit, where he worked for 35 years until his retirement. In 1963 Billy was transferred from Decatur to Florence where they lived 12 wonderful years. Billy coached Recreation football for several years volunteering all his time. They won just about all their games and one year they were never scored on.

He was transferred to Orlando, Florida in 1975. That was a hard decision for Billy. His family wold be leaving friends and family, but it was the right decision. They lived in Orlando for 17 years and he coached football there in the Pop Warner League, where he won several championships.

One of the best things about living in Florida was being close to the beach and spending weekends there. Health problems forced Billy to retire in 1991. The family moved back to Moulton in 1992 leading to the happiest times of his life. He was able to move back home after being gone for 29 years.

Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Jane Rains; children, Ed (Shelia) Rains, Deb Rains, and Lance Rains; grandchildren, Katye (Matt) Coats, Josh (Cindy) Rains, B J (Hannah) Strobel, Brock (Lacey) DiGirolamo, Ty Blankenship, and Brody Rains; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Bobby Rains.

Pallbearers will be BJ Strobel, Josh Rains, Matt Coats, Brock DiGirolamo, Brody Rains, Ty Blankenship, Katye Coats. Honorary pallbearers are his great-grandchildren.

The family extends special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice of the Valley, Dr. Hall, and all of Billy's neighbors and friends who have helped care for Billy and the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley.