WILLIAM S. RAINWATER
William Sloan Rainwater died Jan. 11, 2017.
Sloan was born in Walnut Ridge, on April 9, 1923. He was one of four children of the late R.O. and Elizabeth Rainwater. A graduate of Little Rock High School (now Central). Sloan attended Little Rock Junior College (now UALR) before graduating from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1946. On Feb. 17, 1945, he married Lottie Elizabeth Cobbs.
Sloan began his medical practice in Hampton, before serving in the U.S. Air Force, based at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. After his military service, he opened a practice in El Dorado in 1954, where he and Lottie raised their family. In 1974, he continued in practice with the Burton Eisley Clinic in Hot Springs until his retirement. Sloan’s practice was devoted to obstetrics and gynecology and he was especially proud of the thousands of babies he delivered.
Sloan was preceded in death by his older brothers, Robert and James Rainwater; his son, James Allan Rainwater; and his wife, Faye.
He is survived by his wife, Lottie Rainwater; and a sister, Martha Lewis of Bend, Ore. Also surviving him are a son, Paul S. Rainwater (Sue) of Crossett; a daughter, Judy Brooks (Ronnie) of Austin, Texas; a stepdaughter, La Tonia Hale (Terry) of Austin; and a stepson, Dallas Pierce (Eva) of Sherwood. He leaves four grandsons, Christian Brooks (Jennifer), Jesse Brooks (Candace), both of Austin, Jason Rainwater (Kristi) of Little Rock, and Luke Rainwater (Noelle) of Dallas.
Sloan had seven great-grandchildren, Connor Brooks, of Golden, Colo., Jackson Brooks, Charlotte Brooks, Parker Ann, and Jesse Jarratt Brooks, all of Austin, Catherine Elliott Rainwater of Dallas, and Brannon Sloan Rainwater of Little Rock. Additional survivors are numerous nieces and a nephew.
The family would like to thank the staffs of the Heart Hospital of Arkansas and Arkansas Hospice Inpatient Care for their compassionate support during Sloan’s brief illness.
Those who knew Sloan will remember his warmth, kindness and generosity. His family will cherish memories of him as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Arrangements are under the direction of Griffin, Leggett, Healy and Roth. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.