William Ralph Rutledge was born April 18, 1941, in Birch Tree, MO, to Reuben Arnold and Ruby Ozell (Barns) Rutledge. He passed away on September 25, 2021, in San Diego, California.

He graduated from Birch Tree high school in 1959, then served in the Navy for twenty-nine years. Bill was an aviation electrician and retired as Chief Senior Petty Officer on April 18, 1979. He was later united in marriage on February 18, 1993, to Marjorie Catherine Gates.

He is preceded by his parents, Reuben and Ruby Rutledge; and five siblings, Deloris Rutledge, Melvin Rutledge, Dale Rutledge, Kenneth Rutledge, and Gerry Rutledge.

Bill is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marjorie Rutledge of San Diego; three children, Lauren Rutledge of San Diego, David Rutledge of Georgia, and Stephanie Anderson Dinderman; one sister, Sandra Rutledge of Bluford, IL; and three grandchildren, Cody Ryan Rutledge of San Diego, Lexi Berry of Georgia, and Andrew Beasley of Georgia.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Birch Tree, Missouri with Lauren Rutledge speaking. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-2:00 p.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Birch Tree. Interment with military honors will be in Oak Forest Cemetery, Birch Tree, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.