Deacon Rutland
Services will be Monday, August 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace AME Church, 1137 Main Ave., SW, Warren, Ohio for Deacon William D. Rutland, 70, of 2683 Deer Trail, Niles, OH., who departed this life August 23, 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic.
Deacon Rutland, affectionately known as ‘Bill’, was born February 16, 1941 in Footedale, Pennsylvania, a son of Wallace R. and Althea Sims Rutland. He was a 1959 graduate of German Twp. High School and attended New York University and Queens College in New York. He worked with New York University; and Queens College in Queens, NY as the Associate Executive Director of the Student Union, retiring after 28 years of faithful service. He was a member and Deacon of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Youngstown, its choir and former Superintendent of its Sunday School. William enjoyed bowling and salt water fishing. His passion was traveling, and he and his wife, Carolyn, traveled extensively to such places as the Holy Lands, Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Countries.
He leaves to mourn his passing, but rejoice in his peace, his loving and devoted wife, the former Carolyn Royster, whom he married May 26, 1984; four children, William D. Rutland, Jr. of New York, Kimberely Jeter of Warren, Robin (Robert) Sullivan of Marietta, GA, and Brock (Pamela) Clark of Indianapolis, IN; two young men, who were like sons to him, Minister Carlos Rios of Florida and Darrell Bryant of Warren; a brother, Robert (Barbara) Rutland of both Pennsylvania and Florida; a sister, Sharon Rutland of Uniontown, PA; nine grandchildren; ten great-grand-children; two goddaughters, Robin Cunningham and Lora Thresher; his mother-in-law, Hattie Royster; a special ‘Mom’, Sadie Parks; and a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Beverly; two sons, Jerome Powell and Delano Clark; four sisters, Ora Mae Hood, Roberta Thompson, Rose Rutland and Brenda Burden; and a brother, Wally Rutland.
Friends may call Sunday, August 28, 2011 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church, and may view one hour prior (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.) to services Monday at the church. The family will receive friends at his home, 2683 Deer Trail, Niles, OH. 44446.
Arrangements entrusted to the L. E. BLACK, PHILLIPS & HOLDEN FUNERAL HOME, 1951 McGuffey Rd., Youngstown, Ohio.