William Tyler Rainey

With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of W. Tyler Rainey after he lost his courageous battle with brain cancer.  He went home to be with the Lord on April 13, 2024, in Thompson Station, TN, while being held in his wife’s arms and surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born on January 29, 1974, in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Tyler was raised in a loving home in Gulfport, Mississippi where he spent much of his time on the water racing sailboats and teaching sailing at the Gulfport Yacht Club when he was younger.  He completed the Colorado Outward Bound School and the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School which grew his love for the outdoors. He was an avid outdoors man who loved to hike, hunt with his father, fish, mountain climb and do anything that involved being out in God’s beautiful country. 

Tyler dedicated his life to the service of others and was a paramedic in many capacities including a flight paramedic.  He demonstrated compassion and selflessness in his daily work. He touched the lives of many through his dedication to helping those in need while making a significant impact on the community he served.  He had a great love for our country and all those who served in the Armed Forces.  He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and dedication.  Tyler's larger than life, kind spirit touched the lives of so many.  His absence will be profoundly felt by all who were fortunate enough to know him and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all of those he loved.

Tyler is preceded in death by his father William “Bill” Rainey, grandparents, multiple aunts and uncles and his dearest friend Douglas Grant. 

Tyler is survived by his loving wife Clarice "Reese" Rainey; daughters, Emma Elizabeth Rainey, Olivia Ann Rainey; stepchildren S. Blake (Jena Willis) Alderman, Julia Rae (Tyler Silva) Alderman; mother Dee Ann Pettit Rainey; sister Lynndee Gillette Rainey; father and mother in law Michael L. and Judith A. Garcia; sister in law Audra (Dave) Bartling; brother-in-law Shawn (Meaghan) Garcia; nieces and nephews Cheyenne, Zachary, Jadyn, Makinley, Kennedy, and Kathryn; grandchildren Grayson and expected granddaughter; birth mother Deborah Myers; half-sisters Joy (Lee) Bedsaul, Amy Evans; as well as a host of lifelong friends, relatives and loved ones.

Visitation will be Friday, April 19, 2024 from 12:00pm ~ 1:00pm with a Celebration of Life at 1:00pm at Church of the City (Building Entrance #6) Franklin 828 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064. The burial will immediately follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens 9090 Highway 100 Nashville, TN 37221. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Village at Church of the City in Tyler Rainey’s name (https://cotc.com/village/).