William Rutledge

William H. "Bill" Rutledge

Age 81 of Wilmington, passed away Friday September 14, 2007 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born July 25, 1926 in Sparta, Wisconsin, Bill was a son of the late Harold and Ida Rutledge. He was veteran of the US Navy, having served during World War II. Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington, the Wilmington V.F.W. and the Masonic Lodge #208 in Wilmington. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.

Survivors include his son William Kent of Hickory, Kentucky; daughter Karen (Richard) Mann of Athens, Illinois; one sister Betty (Joseph) Griffin of Connecticut; seven grandchildren; (14) great grandchildren; special niece Stacey (Henry) Weidling and family of Wilmington; brother-in-law Charles (Janet) Jones and sister-in-law Penelope (Jack) Austin, both of Florida.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Frances (Jones) Rutledge on March 10, 2006.

The family will receive friends on Thursday September 20, 2007 from 9:00AM until time of service 10:00AM at the First United Methodist Church of Wilmington, 401 East Kahler Road in Wilmington, 60481. Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca and Rev. Shirley Pulgar Hughes will officiate and burial with full military honors will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made as gifts in Bill's memory to the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington.

Friends may sign the online guestbook by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are being made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington.