William Stewart Rutherford's Obituary
Bill was born in Miami, Florida to William and Vera Rutherford on October 27,1944. He is survived by his forever loving wife Patricia; his beloved sons Sean and David and daughters-in-law Sherry and Amanda; Amanda; his loved and appreciated stepsons Jamie and Jonathan and daughters-in-law Jackie and Keda; treasured grandchildren William, Mikayla and Aubury, along with his wonderful step-grandchildren Jaeya, Julie and Alicia; and his adorable step great-grandson Jayce.
Bill is also survived by his sister Anne, brother John, sister Cathy, and spouse Shawn. Survivors also include his nieces Jeani, Alana, Kristen and Madison and their families, and nephews Eric and Bryce and their families.
Bill also leaves behind his grieving and inconsolable dog Spunky, and his two kitties Sweetie and Tomasina he shared with Patty. They all three loved him very much.
Bill was a true warrior and war hero, He served in the United States Air Force for over twenty-two years and completed two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, flying combat rescue missions.
He was the Crew Chief on his beloved "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter. Bill oversaw the hoist going down to rescue a downed pilot. He and his crew were responsible for saving over two hundred souls.
Bill had no fear of failure ever, and he was always ready to take on all the tough tasks. After the Vietnam War he helped start up the 'Fifteen Fifty" Air Rescue Training Unit as the senior controller on the flight line. This Unit was the first of its kind at that time. It later would be called Special Operations.
Bill greatly loved his Country and was so proud of the oath he took to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. He was respected by all who worked with him for his resourcefulness, strong work ethic, and love of the military. He retired as a Master Sergeant.
Bill carried over his military ramrod straight posture, take command and get the job done demeanor to civilian life. He loved machines and tools. No task was too big or too small for him to take on.
He met who would become the love of his life, Patty, in 2002. They married in 2003, and they did live happily ever after. Bill and Patty were able to bring out the best in each other. Patty knew without a doubt whatsoever that Bill loved and cherished her with all his heart. He gave her everything she ever needed or wanted, which was him.
They never went to sleep angry with each other, he would insist they talk things out so they could end the day with a loving kiss. To the very last he cherished those kisses.
Bill and Patty were inseparable, doing everything together, from going to church and doctor visits, visiting family and friends; from grocery shopping and getting haircuts together, to working in their yard. They loved going out in their boat fishing and joy riding and camping in their travel trailer. He even helped take care of their horse Ezzie whom Patty loved so much. Bill used to joke that he went from flying helicopters to cleaning horse stalls.
Bill volunteered his time and expertise in many ways, from cleaning cages at a wildfire sanctuary to mentoring teenage boys at a group foster home of last resort. He also volunteered in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program and enjoyed his time spent helping to reshape the futures of his "little" brothers.
Bill also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity in several ways. He helped on the administrative side by coming to Board meetings and offering input, as well as attending monthly future-homeowner training sessions and faithfully bringing refreshments. He enjoyed handing out cookies and other goodies to the children who had accompanied their parents.
On Habitat's construction side, he worked hard helping to build houses alongside other volunteers and the future homeowner. One of his favorite Habitat projects was where he almost singlehandedly built a large ramp for an elderly, disabled veteran neighbor of his, even going so far as paying for all the building materials anonymously.
Bill was always generous like that. He was wonderfully faithful and loyal, and willing to help anybody. He helped Patty in her own volunteer work with the Guardian ad Litem Program and Ombudsman Program. He was her dedicated driver and chief encourager in all that she did.
As Bill got older, he still loved working in their yard in the daytime and watching war movies and war documentaries at night. He could speak on World War II with authority.
As much as he loved being career military and carrying the discipline of that service for the rest of his life, he said that he loved his family so much more, and that he was very proud of each and every one of member.
Family members sometimes chafed under all his self-imposed discipline that he often imposed on them too. Once he turned off the television at 10:00 pm during the Super Bowl final overtime session because it was his bedtime. This was regardless of the fact that other adults were still watching the game. It has become a fun family story now but was not funny at all back then.
Other family members had similar experiences with the television going off at 10:00 pm while they were watching movies. But no matter the outcome of any incident at the time, he was always good to sincerely apologize for the whole thing, truly ask for forgiveness, and he always tried to do better in the future.
Bill had some memory issues as he got older and every time his son Sean would tell a story from his childhood, Bill would tease Sean unmercifully that he was making it all up because he could no longer always remember it. This has become a fond family memory.
Sean states that there seems to be a lot of cartoon and movie superheroes these days, but "Dad always was and forever will be my hero."
Bill fought courageously against his debilitating military service-related illness, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He went to every doctor's appointment, took every test, and suffered through repeated hospitalizations which he called nightmares. He never gave up even when the disease began to cause him to decline rapidly.
He passed away in Miami, Florida, at home in Patty's arms on November 23, 2025. Bill was 81 years old; he led an exemplary life, serving his country, his community, and loving his family.
In lieu of flowers and if so desired, donations can be made to the memory of Bill to https://ALS.org, which has a research arm.
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