William L. Rutherford

Growing up, Forest Park was a favorite designation. RIP to a great Gentleman.

We'll be taking our students out to Wildlife on Thursday. They don't know what it was like, is like in places outside the classroom, or can be like. I told them how I saw that place - the strip mine, a lunar landscape - and of your vision and it's reality. Thanks, Bill. - Jo

I remember visiting the park as a young child and it was one of my favorite places on earth. I cannot wait to share the same experience with my own children. We will be visiting soon!!! Thank you so much for giving us such a great place to escape to and remember what it was like way back when before urbanization and population growth.

you will be deeply missed!!!!

It is a wonderful park I`am very grateful that there is a place to see animals. I like zoo, but this is so open and I love to walk around.

I am a Docent at Brookfield Zoo and first met Mr. Rutherford many years ago on my very first visit to the Prairie Park, on a day-long bus trip where he personally welcomed us at the Visitors' Center. At that point, I knew nothing about him, but I recall an instant awareness of being in the presence of someone who used his deep conservation ethic to inspire others.
Since becoming a Member of the Prairie Park, I have learned much more about this awe-inspiring man who used his lifetime to...

I was priviliged to fly Bill on many property searches in The Peoria Journl Star helicopter when I was there in the '60's.
He was a noble man and was true to his convictions to make Peoria and the world a better place.

I worked at WPP for 9 years during its infancy and early years. Bill and Hazel Rutherford afforded our young "rag-tag" group of employees the opportunity to learn - some times by our mistakes - about building a wildlife park, utilizing alternative sources of energy, offering good customer service, creating "fun" experiences for our visitors, embracing quality construction and accomplishing things the old-fashioned way - with hard work. For the past 23 years I have been utilizing my...

I have never met a man who so clearly captured the image of who I would like to imitate as Bill Rutherford. He was gentle, committed, firm, clever, devoted to his wife and friends, respectful of all living things and a great fighter for a just cause. Throughout all of my own personal and community service, the best I hope for is that my efforts will be in the best spiritual legacy of this fine human being.