Billy Lee Rhudy

CHILHOWIE, VA

Billy Lee “Bill” Rhudy, age 90, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025, and is reunited with the love of his life, Opal Peake Rhudy.

Bill was born in Chilhowie, Virginia, to the late Andy Mock Rhudy and Bonnie Anna Laura Landreth Rhudy. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Opal Peake Rhudy, and by his siblings, Andrew “Buddy” Rhudy, Edith Rhudy, and Virginia Rhudy Billings.

Bill’s Christian faith was an important part of his life. Throughout his early life, he attended Chilhowie Church of God. Later, Bill, Opal, the Rhudy and Billings families were all instrumental in founding and building the Ford Church of God, which is now the Abundant Life Christian Center. For the last 34 years, Bill and Opal attended and were faithful members of the Chilhowie First Church of God. Music was a cornerstone in Bill’s life. He sang and led the choir at church and sang as a member of several groups. Bill played the guitar, and he and Sandra sang at many weddings and funerals. He was a member of The Master’s Trio and The Master’s Quartet. The Master’s Trio recorded an album “Amazing Grace.” If anyone is interested in a CD of the album, it can be obtained by contacting the family.

Bill was a lifelong resident of Chilhowie, and he served his community as a member of the Chilhowie Town Council and as an active member of the Chilhowie Fire Department for 42 years. He rose to the rank of Assistant Chief during his time with the fire department.

Bill learned his trade while working at the Vance Company where he was told that he should be in business for himself. After their son Andy was born in 1968, Bill and Opal founded and built their successful business together with Rhudy Appliance Sales and Service. They worked hand-in-hand as a team in sales, with Bill taking care of deliveries and service calls while Opal managed the accounting. Through their business, Bill and Opal earned many trips for their successful sales and traveled throughout the world to places including Hawaii, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Austria, Morocco, Saint Martin, and Yugoslavia. When they closed their business after 25 years, Bill stayed retired for only six months and finished Opal’s honey-do list before he went to work for the Chilhowie Post Office. Bill remained at the Chilhowie Post Office for 37 years, changing positions from rural mail carrier to custodian along the way. Bill made the change to custodian when he could no longer deliver the mail but did not want to leave the post office. He stayed employed at the post office until he could no longer carry out his duties.

Bill was an avid pilot and owned several airplanes. He enjoyed spending time flying with friends and his family. A favorite trip was spent flying to Tri Cities Airport with the family for Sunday lunch after church. When Sandra was in college, Bill even flew to Cleveland, Tennessee, on weekends to bring her home to visit.

Survivors include his daughter, Sandra Rhudy Harris, son, Andrew Rhudy and wife Julie; grandchildren Jeremy Harris, Andrea Harris, Bonnie Rhudy Pierce and husband Tyler, Molly Rhudy; great grandchildren, Kiersten Taylor and husband Cody, Kelsey Harris, Marissa Harris; several nieces and nephews, including JoAnn Billings Lamie and Michael Billings, for whom Bill was always there to provide father-like advice after the loss of their father. The family would like to thank JoAnn Billings Lamie and special friend, Linda Stanberry, for their help during the care of both Bill and Opal. 

Funeral services will be held at 7:00PM, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Chilhowie First Church of God with Pastor Bobby Dunn and Pastor Michael Rysko officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00PM, on Monday evening at the church. Private graveside services will be held on Tuesday at Mountain View UMC Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie is serving the Rhudy Family.