Born in Chatsworth, Georgia, Vining was a United States Air Force staff Sergeant from 1951 to 1955.
He was in private practice in Dalton, Georgia from 1958 to 1969, serving as solicitor general of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit from 1963 to 1968.
He was a superior court judge of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit from 1969 to 1979.
[3] On June 14, 1979, Vining was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia created by 92 Stat.
He served as Chief Judge from 1995 to 1996, assuming senior status on March 31, 1996.