William James "Willie" Rutherford

William "Willie " James Rutherford, 82, of Germfask, Michigan died peacefully in his home with his loving family by his side on September 5, 2023. William was born to William John and Mary Lucy (Doran) Rutherford on August 26, 1941 at Manistique Memorial Hospital.
In 1955, William entered Saint Lawrence Seminary High School in Mt. Calvery, WI. He graduated with the class of 1959. For one year he attended Noviciate in Huntington, Indiana. William spent one year at St. Mary's Crown Point, Indiana.
William moved to Flint, Michigan in February 1962 and entered the United States Army. He spent 30 months overseas in Europe. William was honorably discharged as a SP5 on January 12, 1965.
Moving to California in July of 1965, William met his wife Joanne, and they were married on October 15,1966. Together, they raised two children, William John Rutherford of Manistique and Ann Marie Rutherford of Benicia, California.
William worked eight years at the Shell oil refinery in Martinez, California. He then entered the Labor Union in 1974. William retired after 25 years of service on Christmas Eve, 1999. William moved back to his hometown of Germfask, Michigan in 2000.
William was a huge sports fan. He loved his Detroit teams, the Lions, Tigers, and Pistons. He was forever showing his support via his team hats and t-shirts! He loved hunting, fishing, and camping. He had a zest for life and was a true outdoorsman.
William is survived by his wife Joanne of 57 years. His son Bill (Shannon) Rutherford of Manistique; daughter Ann Marie Rutherford of Benicia, CA; Grandchildren Troy (Lauren) Clemons of Boerne, TX; Jocelin Henderson of Las Vegas, NV; Cody (Stacy) Rutherford of Morrison, CO; Taylor Rutherford of Grand Rapids. Great grandchildren MaKenzie, Angelo, Savanna, Dallas, Troy Jr., Blake, Wyatt and Wade. William is also survived by his sister Mary Elizabeth (Gary) Luukkonen of Gwinn, MI and many nieces and nephews.
William is preceded in death by his parents William John and Mary Lucy, brothers John, George, Daniel, Kenneth, and Dwight Patrick.
All services for William will be held at Divine Infant Prague Catholic Church in Gulliver, MI. on the following dates:
September 14, 2023, a Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
September 15, 2023 – Visitation from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with Mass to follow at 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served afterwards downstairs.
Memorial donations in William's name may be made to the Divine Infant of Prague Catholic Church in Gulliver, MI. Fausett Family Funeral Home will be assisting with the arrangements.