William A, Rudder

William A. Rudder, 90, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

He was born March 11, 1933 in London, Kentucky to the late Homer and Goldie (George) Rudder. In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by his sister, Agnes Holmes.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley (Broshear) Rudder, whom he married August 29, 1957; daughters, Sharon (Craig) Harkrider, Karen (Jon) Montani, and Anita (Michael) Ball; grandchildren, Benjamin (Bianca), Aaron, Anna, Nathanael Harkrider and Sarah, Rachel, Arielle Ball; six great grandchildren; sister, Amanda Taylor Shockey; sister-in-law, Jan Bagwell; numerous nieces and nephews; and close friend, Gary Stahlheber.

William’s family moved to Ohio in 1945. After graduating from Dixon Israel High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He proudly served from 1953 to 1957 during the Korean Conflict as a Staff Sergeant and airplane mechanic.  After returning home, William settled down with his wife, Shirley, outside of Camden to farm where he became known as someone who could troubleshoot and fix just about anything.  He was a charter member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Camden and served as a deacon.  William got his general aviation private pilot’s license and piloted his family on many exciting vacations. In time, the family outgrew the plane and William’s adventurous spirit took him to pilot a sailboat. Although he had never sailed before and had a few “learning“  moments, he soon became a seasoned sailor.  He took his family on long memorable trips during the summer to the Great Lakes, where they sailed from Lake Erie to the Canadian waters of Lake Huron. The sailboat was eventually replaced with a motor home that took him and Shirley to the open roads until finally landing in Naples, Florida.  They would spend the next 23 winters there enjoying each other and sharing special memories with friends and family who would come to visit.

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 13 from 11AM to 12PM at First Southern Baptist Church, 35 N Liberty St, Camden, 45311.  The funeral service will begin at 12PM with Pastor Greg Jackson officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow at Fairmount Cemetery, Camden.

Contributions in William’s memory may be made to the First Southern Baptist Church of Camden. 

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