William Rudolph's Obituary
Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA;}The Man with a Twinkle in his EyeThe holiday season of 1921 was made extra-special for Elsie Mae and Fred Rudolph with the arrival of their son William. It could have been the festive lights sparkling that day in Laurel, Mississippi that created the twinkle in his deep blue eyes – a mischievous, charming twinkle that became William’s unique trademark. William, his brother Henry and his sister, Mary, grew up in Mobile, Alabama. They were guided through the teachings of the Baptist church to be kind, generous, God-fearing souls. Bill was an adventurous lad who loved to climb trees, swim in the creek, fish and chase squirrels; an intelligent boy who did much of his learning outside of the classroom. He learned to not get too close to firecrackers – a lesson that caused him to require glasses for several years. He also learned by breaking his nose that football was not his calling. He spent many hours working alongside his father in the nursery and learning about the science of botany. He loved to grow plants and became very knowledgeable on the subject. Bill’s constant quest for knowledge served him well over the years. He made a point of mastering many subjects and many trades. Always striving for – and achieving – excellence, his self-assurance grew and he developed into a very confident, capable individual. He learned to truly believe in himself and in turn, taught those around him to trust in their own abilities and ambitions. Sew Military When William was 21, he joined the Military and was quickly dispatched to service in England. His key assignment was to sew, repair and pack parachutes and he took his role very seriously. His constant quest for perfection and his attention to detail were two qualities that many a soldier depended on when jumping into battle from military aircraft. The year was 1942; his handiwork played an important role in the events on D-Day. Bill himself always wanted to try jumping from a plane. His colleagues, however, were not prepared to risk his safety when his work was so critical to their own survival. He did eventually experience the challenge of flying an airplane under the watchful eye of his pilot friends. He served in England for the balance of his military career. He particularly enjoyed his time there, even when he was stranded one night in a snowstorm and spent the night in an Olde English pub. Especially that night. In typical William fashion, he progressed as far in the Military as possible without attending a military academy. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. With all the parachute-sewing, he became an adept tailor and earned money in his spare time from his soldier friends who “volunteered” to pay him to alter their uniforms for a nice custom fit. Dapper and Ready to PartyIt might have been the perfect uniform and his generally spiffy wardrobe; it might have been that twinkle in his handsome blue eyes; it might have been the charm and charisma of his party-loving self… Rosie Belle fell madly in love with William and the attraction was mutual. Together, they settled in Mobile and set to raised a family, where daughter Freddie Jean was born. Upon completion of his military service, Bill put his skills and knowledge to the test in a number of areas. He worked in construction, sold real estate and drove a bus. He built a two-room house from the ground up. The post-war economy in Alabama was not very strong, so Bill and Rosie decided to seek better prospects in Chicago. Bill secured a position with a welding company and worked there for twenty years, becoming a Supervisor, Foreman and Head of the Union along the way. Bill and Rosie had two other children while living in Chicago, daughter, Marilyn and son Bill Jr. The EntertainerDay-to-day life held much joy for William and his family, mainly because he found a reason to celebrate in everything: “No matter how bad a situation gets, you can always choose to have a party,” was a life motto that resonates to this day. He especially looked forward to his own birthday each year, and relished every opportunity to gather together and celebrate something. He appreciated his favorite beverage, beer, and couldn’t get enough of Mom’s fried chicken. In sickness and in health, he was known to roll out his specialty smothered potatoes or tomato gravy with biscuits. His love of beer and his love of music merged in one of his favorite pastimes: playing in a band in a local bar with five of his friends. Bill regaled others with his harmonica, banjo and guitar playing; his music choices centered on blue grass, gospel and old country. Rosie and Bill so enjoyed listening and dancing to their beloved tunes from Charlie Pride, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. He was an active member of the VFW and the American Legion. Indeed, Bill was a natural entertainer. Lighthearted, jovial and charming with a quick wit and sometimes sarcastic humor, he was the life of every party and a ham for every audience. He liked to impress people with the gymnastic tricks he learned from his own Dad; there are many photos to witness his antics of handstands on barstools or flips around the room. Comfort in Times of NeedAt the same time, Bill was a constant warm and comforting presence for his three children, fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He was gentle and loveable, easy to confide in and quick with a loving hug. It was William who needed the loving support of family and friends when faced with the loss of Rosie Bell. At that point in his life, he returned to his home in Mobile and joined his brother-in-law, Louie, in his cabinet-making shop. He turned his creativity and skills for fine workmanship to the tasks of building custom cabinetry for boats and home.He had the good fortune to meet and marry a second time, when Lillian came into his life. He was blessed with several years of love, companionship and family celebratory moments before he was again faced with the sadness of losing his partner. Truly One of a KindWilliam was definitely a unique individual. With his dry, quick wit and engaging charm, he could always make the most of every situation, saying something to bring things into perspective, change direction or just lighten the mood. He had a way of saying what he was thinking, a characteristic that surely ripened with age. He taught his children to be forgiving and accepting of others’ shortcomings. He was careful and frugal with his hard-earned money; at the same time he could be very generous and would do anything for his family. He respected others who worked as hard as he did to pull their own weight and reach for their dreams. Throughout his life, William thrived in the great outdoors. He loved to fish and was content to sit outside studying astronomy and gazing at the stars. Today, that firmament is one star brighter. Those he leaves behind on this earth believe, if they listen hard enough, they can still hear the harmonica and the laughter that defined his presence.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?