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1926 - 2006
 Mr. William E. Rucker, age 79, of Barboursville, WV, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, September 17, 2006. He was born November 7, 1926 at Salt Rock, WV, the son of the late Collard Rucker and Harriet Virginia Farley Rucker Smith. He was preceded in death by two sons, William Roger Rucker and Gerald Kie “Jerry” Rucker, and one sister, Mary Walters. Mr. Rucker was a veteran with the US Navy Seabees in World War II. Afterwards he was active in the US Naval Seabee Reserves. Mr. Rucker designed and built fire trucks for Allegheny Fire Equipment. During this time he invented the top mount firetruck, hydraulic ladder system, and the water shut off valve for fire trucks. He was a mason in Minerva Lodge #13 A.F. & A.M., Barboursville for fifty years and was active with the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Department where he also served as fire chief. He served as mayor for the City of Barboursville as well as serving on the Barboursville City Council. During which time he was instumental in obtaining the Huntington Mall and the State Park for the City of Barboursville. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Beatrice Ann Bledsoe Rucker; loving daughters, Patricia Sue Bumgardner and husband Dean of Monroe, NC, Barbara Gail Wells and husband Tom of Barboursville; loving daughter-in-law, Brenda Jo Rucker of Charlotte, NC; a very special grandfather to Amy Farley, Angela Hagler, Todd Rucker, Shawn Rucker, Jamie Wells and Tracey Wells; as well as the loving great grandfather to Cecily and Courtney Hagler, Lowell, Caleb, Abby and Lily Farley, Kayla and Hannah Rucker, Mattie and Sophie Rucker; sisters, Angelee Smith, Virginia Edwards and Pauline Blake of Huntington; brother, Lt. Col. Thomas Smith of Crestview, FL; and brother-in-law, Hedrick Bledsoe of Huntington. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel by Pastor Bob Ray. Entombment will follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Park. Friends may call from 6-9 P.M. Tuesday at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Military graveside rites will be performed by the Veterans Honor Guard and Masonic graveside rites will be conducted by Minerva Lodge #13, A.F.&A.M. Barboursville. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace. He said although he wasn’t wealthy, he was truly blessed as a rich man because of all his family and friends. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. |
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There are currently 16 condolences.
LeAnne Looney
leanne_looney@hotmail.com
Monday September 25, 2006 at
10:01 AM
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Aunt Bea
I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Bill. I loved him very much. And I love you very much, too. I will miss him.
LeAnne
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Verna (Bosse) VanMeter
Friday September 22, 2006 at
8:26 PM
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Dear Patricia, Dean & family, I want to extend my deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. I came to see Dean's mother once in your home (Verna Bosse at that time) in NC. I am a friend of Florence and Betty Jeffers and now live in Culloden, WV. Sincere sympathy & regards Verna Vanmeter.
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Tedra Cremeans
Thursday September 21, 2006 at
10:44 AM
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I would like to send my sincere sympathy to the Rucker family. I worked with Mr. Rucker at Allegheny Fire and I have say that he was a wonderful man! He led the men of the shop as well as the office staff into many new and exciting inventions (the hydraulic ladder rack - is the one I most remember) and always greeted you with a smile. Please know that the family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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The First State Bank
Wednesday September 20, 2006 at
4:13 PM
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On behalf of the staff of The First State Bank we wish to convey our deepest sympathy.
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The First State Bank
Wednesday September 20, 2006 at
4:12 PM
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The First State Bank
Wednesday September 20, 2006 at
4:12 PM
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Dennis & Carolyn Herrenkohl
Wednesday September 20, 2006 at
3:27 PM
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Sorry to hear about your loss.
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Tom "Tittle" Adkins
Wednesday September 20, 2006 at
7:15 AM
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Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I grew up in Barboursville and as kids we would "hang out" at Bill's garage and watch him work on the cars. He was a wonderful role model and I have many good memories of him.
Tom Adkins
Hanover, PA
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Toby, Becky and Memphis Bullock
engwood47@aol.com
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
9:10 PM
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We are sorry to hear about your loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Sarah and Max Clay
maxclayst@msn.com
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
4:51 PM
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Bea and family, Sarah and I would like to express our sinere sympathy in your time of sorrow. We feel like we have lost a very dear friend. You are in our prayers and we share in your sadness. Having Bill as a friend for many years was a rich experience for us. We look forward to seeing you on our next trip home.
Sincerely, Max & Sarah Clay
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Paul Jordan (PJ)
pljordanjr@aol.com
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
4:07 PM
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Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Sure have a lot memories from our earlier fire department days. Our prayers are with you and the entire family. PJ and Joyce Jordan
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Kyra and John Allen Minichan
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
1:55 PM
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Barbara,
We think of you as family and are deeply saddened by your sorrow. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
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Charles Markin Jr. & Clara Jean (Nelson)Markin
clara@mail.drs.state.wv.us
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
10:16 AM
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Thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
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Ginger (Tatum) Chapman
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
6:51 AM
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To the Rucker Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
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CHERYL (PAULEY) HUNGATE
iowanana_Cheryl@msn.com
Tuesday September 19, 2006 at
6:31 AM
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DEAR BARBARA, I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DADS PASSING, I KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE GOING THROUGH A ROUGH TIME. PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONDOLENCES. BARBARA, IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHO I AM, WE GRADUATED TOGETHER IN 1970. TAKE CARE AND I WILL TRY TO CONTACT YOU WHEN WE COME HOME TO VISIT.
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Imogene Arrowood and family
Monday September 18, 2006 at
11:02 PM
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Dear Bea and family,
We send you our love; Bill always was a dear friend to all of us and we will miss him.
Imogene, Patti, John, Driscoll and Amanda
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