William A. Rutherford, 86, of Millsboro, Del., passed away Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, at home. He retired as a service foreman with Diamond State Telephone, now known as Verizon, after 40 years of service.
A member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Millsboro, he served as past president of the Millsboro Lions Club, was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, past commander of American Legion Post #34 in Wilmington, Del., past commander of Indian River Post #22 in Millsboro, past president of the Sussex Central Ruritan, Charter Member of Granite Lodge #34 A.F. & A.M. in Wilmington, past chapter president of the Liberty Bell Chapter Telephone Pioneers, past president and life member of Diamond State Telephone Pioneers, member of Nur Temple in New Castle, Del., and past president of the Lower Delaware Shrine Club.
Rutherford was preceded in death by his parents, John Burton and Bessie Shipley Rutherford. He is survived by his wife, Louise Henry Rutherford; two daughters, Leslie A. Collins of Bear, Del. and Carol Wilson of Townsend, Del.; one step-son, Gary Morris of Fort Collins, Colo.; one step-daughter, Gail McInerney of Newark, Del.; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at noon at the Grace U.M. Church, Church and Morris Street in Millsboro, Del., where friends may call at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, Del., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Grace U.M. Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 566, Millsboro, DE 19966.