Delbert Rackley, 88

Funeral services for Delbert Rackley, 88, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church in Gainesville. A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until service time. 

Delbert died on July 4. He was born on June 12, 1937, to Fred and Mamie Rackley in Sand Ridge, Missouri. He married Mary Alice Wilbanks on Sept. 15, 1956. Together they raised three children, two boys and a girl.

One of the traits Delbert was known for was his use of nicknames. Whether it was Chester, Calhoun, Beaver, Buckle Bill, TN Buck Loner, Cub Shaw, Press Reed, Captain Bad, Shortstack, Bill Joe, Jack, Orville, Shakey Looney, Catfish, Sassafras, Red Squirrel, Eli or Buckshot Bill, the list goes on. Just know that if you got your own nickname, or maybe even a few of them over the years, that you meant something special to him.

Delbert is survived by his children: Kevin Rackley (Sandy) and Marta Haden (Mark); his sister, Judy Vangilder; five grandchildren: CJ Rackley, Jason Rackley, Whitney Byrd (Nathan), Nick Haden and Logan Haden (Jenna); and eight great-grandchildren: Lincoln, Levi, Lukas, Harper, Bailey, Matthew, Jace and Isabella.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his son Craig; his parents; and his siblings: Don, Ida Mae, Betty and Joan.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lilly Ridge Cemetery fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.