William P. "Bill" Rutherford

William P. “Bill” Rutherford, age 91 of Columbus passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 24, 2014. He was President and C.E.O. Rutherford Funeral Homes and Crematories and Licensed Funeral Director since 1944. Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Helen Tracy Rutherford; parents, Perry E. and Ruth Grove Rutherford; brother, Edward E. Rutherford; and sister, Ruth E. “Bee” Green. He is survived by children, W. Arch (Carolyn) Rutherford and J. Lynn (W. Joseph) Harper; grandchildren, Tracy (Joe) Hayes, Kelly (Brendan) King, Amy (Kevin) Reed, Brett (Sarah) Harper, Craig (Erika) Rutherford; great grandchildren, Will, Ellie, Annie, Molly, Joe, Jack, John, Peter, Kaylyn, Julia, Marley and Charlotte. He was a life-long member of North United Methodist Church. Bill graduated from North High School in 1940. He was Past-President, Central Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Past-President, Ohio Funeral Directors Association; Past-Governor & Past-President, National Funeral Directors Association; Past-President, Cremation Association of North America; Past-President, Old North Hi Club; Past-President, Northern Lions Club & Melvin Jones Fellowship; Past-President, Central Ohio Vision Center; Member of Brookside Country Club; OSU President’s Club, OSU Faculty Club, active member of the Buckeye Boosters, and an avid OSU Buckeye fan; Century Founders Club of The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science; and Agonis Club. Bill was a 70 year member of Neoacacia Lodge #595, F & AM, The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Corinthian Chapter #393, Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a member of York Temple Chapter #155 RAM; York Council #115 R & SM; Columbus Commandery #69 Knights Templar; St. Jerome Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Aladdin Temple Shrine; Past-President & Founder, Northern Shrine Club. Bill was Coroneted a 33 Degree Mason in 2000, and was an active member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was named one of the “Top Ten men of 1963” by the Citizen-Journal for his work with the blind and one of only three Ohio Funeral Directors to receive special commendation from the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, acknowledging community service and dedication to professionalism. In addition to his professional, church and charity involvement he shared many adventures with Helen as they traveled the world together. Although he will be greatly missed by those who knew him, his legacy will be carried on through his family, funeral service colleagues, past and present associates of Rutherford Funeral Homes and the many lives that he touched through the years. Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2014 at the RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME, 2383 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43202 with Pastor W. Arch Rutherford and Rev. Tom Keene, officiating. Entombment will follow at Union Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday with Masonic Service at 8:00 p.m. The family would like to thank Jennifer Basnett, Nicky Gaskill, Liz Franklin, and Kim Wilson. Bill and Helen’s Home Health Aides and HomeReach Hospice for their care and kindness. Memorial Contributions may be made to one of the many organizations that Bill dedicated his time and talent. Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com.