Obituary of Bill H. Rutherford
Bill H. Rutherford, age 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2024, at his daughter’s residence in Plainfield, Illinois. Bill was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on May 22, 1940 to the late Elmer and Fern (nee McCoy) Rutherford.
Bill raised his six children in Plainfield, Illinois while working for Kerr Glass and after retirement returned to his hometown of Mt. Vernon. As one not to sit idle, Bill then took a job with the Mt. Vernon school district in the maintenance department where he quickly became a beloved friend to students and faculty.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening, reading and cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals. Quite the angler, Bill often gathered piles of fish to share with his family and friends; he was also well known, and appreciated, for a good fish fry that would inevitably include his delicious venison recipes. He loved yard work and could be seen several days a week whizzing around on his riding lawn mower to keep his lawn nice and short like a baseball field.
Bill is survived by his children, Carl (Maria) Rutherford, Richard (Traci) Rutherford, Kimberly (Rick) Walsh, Carol (the late Thomas) Spalo, Christine Arndt, and Brian (Dianne) Rutherford; beloved friend, Jan Boldrey; his grandchildren, Mary Storts (Kiki Ssennyamantono), Amanda (Loren) Walsh, Breanna (Nick) Barosso, Alexander Arndt, and Sydney and Noah Rutherford; four great-grandchildren; his sister Barbara (Merle) Hall; his faithful canine companion, Molly (aka Molly Golly), and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth (Barb) and Jack (Audrey) Rutherford, and son-in-law Thomas Spalo.
As it was his final wish, cremation rites have been accorded, and a Celebration of Bill’s Life is being planned, at a later date, in his hometown of Mt. Vernon. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Lightways Hospice or the Illinois Conservation Foundation (https://ilconservation.org) would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, Joliet. For more information, please call 815-741-5500, or to leave an online condolence, visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.
