Walter Sidney Rayborn

Walter Sidney Rayborn

March 11, 1935 - May 13, 2013

Walter Sidney Rayborn, born March 11, 1935 in Tallahassee to Walter J. Rayborn and Pauline Pearson Rayborn, Died May 13, 2013 in Gainesville, Florida. He was a life-long resident of Tallahassee excluding eight years in military service .

Sidney graduated from Leon High School in 1954 and immediately enlisted in the United States Army. He attained the rank of sergeant and was the company clerk and squad leader. He was a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division "Angels" at Fort Campbell, KY, Augsburg, Germany and Fort McClellan, Alabama during the Korean Conflict Era. He proudly served his country until 1961 when a training accident ended his military career. He was honorably discharged due to destruction of his right elbow after being hit by a land flare. After 18 months at Martin Army Hospital, Fort Benning, GA, Sidney entered the private sector and became employed by Raymond Diehl at Leon Liquors as manager of Mr. Diehl's chain of stores until they were sold to Jax Liquors. After a short employment with Jax, he began working for Jimmy Petrandis and Fred Dillman, managing Fralji Liquors. He eventully acquired Petrandis' George's 4 Points on South Monroe where he created Sid's Liquors and Lounge. Sid's was a very popular gathering place for country music patrons, and eventually the infamous mechanical bull, which was a great challenge for anyone trying to stay on it for any length of time. Sid's entertainment shared the likes of Alabama, Hank Williams, Jr., T. G. Shepard, Vern Gosdin, Little Jimmy Dickens, Mo Bandy, Johnny Paycheck, Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius, all stars of the '70 s, and others too many to mention; not to forget Sid's House Bands, Odis Yawn And Solid Gold, and Tom And The Cats. Tom And The Cats are still ongoing and are drawing old and new fans, a true local icon in the entertainment business. Many of these stars were entertained by the Rayborns at their beach house on Alligator Point and at their home on Lake Shore Drive which always stirred excitement among neighbors and friends. In 1980, with Alabama in their prime, they pulled one of their buses up beside his home for an evening fish fry, causing a traffic jam and total chaos on Lake Shore Drive.

After years at Sid's Liquors, Sidney decided to close and chase his dream of a lifetime, opening Rooster's Colorado Club on North Monroe Street, a cook-your-own steak restaurant and late night lounge for entertainment and dancing; bringing to Tallahassee top-ranked national dance bands, both disco and country, and Elvis impersonators, along with Rooster's House Bands, Hutch and Brand and the Brand Brothers.

Sidney was an FSU Seminole fan and served on the Board of Directors of the Seminole Boosters. He was a team leader for collections for the Boosters, and his team won top honors several years, with Sidney being the top producer. He also enjoyed traveling with the FSU team to many games, and remained friends with many of those players until his death; not to forget Seminole Head Coach, Bobby Bowden, who visited Rooster's from time to time, along with sports casters, Lee Corso and Vic Prinzi.

From 1976 through 1991, he was President and lease holder of the prestigious 10,800-acre Amsterdam Hunting Club which ranged from the Florida-Georgia line to just south of Climax, GA.

In his later years, Sidney's passion was his grandchildren and his "Coleweather Farm" in Attapulgus, GA. He enjoyed clearing and mowing on the John Deere, riding the grandchildren on the buggy, fishing the ponds, hunting and family picnics. Some of these activities were limited in recent years.

Sidney was an entrepreneur, a loving husband and father, and a wonderful and loving grandfather, known as "Bull" to his grandchildren.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Thursday, May 16th, in the Timberlane Road Chapel of Culley's Meadowwood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road. Funeral service will be held at 2:30pm, Friday, May 17, 2013, in the Timberlane Road Chapel of Culley's Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Barbara R. Rayborn; sons, Walter Sidney Rayborn, Jr., Stephen Gregory Rayborn and Sean Paul Rayborn (Christi); brother, W. Paul Rayborn (Sheila); sister, Lou Rayborn White (Peter); and seven grandchildren, Cole, Sam, Madison, Austin, Ashlyn, Ansley and Averey Rayborn; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch, Live Oak, Florida 32060.