William Ward Rucks III

William Ward Rucks, III

LAFAYETTE - Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at a 2:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary, Mother of the Church, Catholic Church for Mr. William Ward "Bill" Rucks III who died on Monday, March 7, 2016 at his residence in Lafayette with his family by his side.

Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery.

The Reverend Michael Champagne will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the services, con-celebrated by the Reverend Harold Trahan and Reverend Monsignor Charles J. Mallet. Giftbearers will be his children.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of sixty years, Margaret Roy Rucks of Lafayette; two daughters, Margaret Gibson Rucks of Lafayette and Elizabeth Anne Scott and her husband, Anthony Scott of Melbourne, Florida; one son, William W."Billy" Rucks, IV and his wife Catherine May Rucks of Lafayette; ten grandchildren, Graham Cliffe Laborde, Gibson Theodore Laborde, Garrison Rucks Laborde, William Ward Rucks, V, Lane Alexandra R. McKnight, Shaylyn Elizabeth Scott, John Michael Scott, James Anthony Scott, Therese Catherine Scott, Abigail Grace Scott; three great grandchildren, Madison Margaret Laborde, Grayson Rucks Laborde and May Catherine McKnight; and one sister, Peggy Margaret R. McCune of Enid, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William Ward Rucks, Jr. and the former Louise Earthman; and one sister, Sarah McFarland Rucks.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee and former resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bill was a resident of Lafayette for the majority of his life. He attended The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee and was a graduate of Pembroke Country Day Preparatory School in Kansas City, Missouri and attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.

Bill was an independent Petroleum Landman. He was the owner of W.W. Rucks, III Oil Properties and President and member of the Board of Directors of Westlands Corporation of Lake Charles, LA. Bill was a past member of the Lafayette Association of Petroleum Landmen as well as the American Association of Petroleum Landmen and was a Certified Petroleum Landman. He was a past member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette Economic Development Expressway Commission. Bill was a past Chairman of the Cajundome Commission and the Municipal Auditorium Management Board. He was a past member of the University of Southwestern Louisiana Foundation (ULL) and the Louisiana State University Foundation as well as a member and President of the Board of Lafayette Crime Stoppers. He was a past member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of First National Bank and was a member of the Advisory Board of Directors of Iberia Bank. Bill was a past member of the Board of Directors of both Lafayette General Medical Center and Lafayette General Surgical Hospital.

Bill was a past President of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association and a past Advisory Board Member and Commodore of the Krewe of Gabriel. He was a past Vice President of the Lafayette Town House and past President of Oakbourne Country Club and past Charter member of the Petroleum Club of Lafayette.

An avid outdoorsman, Bill greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing, particularly at the Florence Club in Gueydan, LA, owned by his son. Bill was a golfer and enjoyed playing tennis. He was a jogger before it was popular.

Above all, Bill's true claim to fame was that he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His heart was truly filled with love for his family.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

The Rucks Family would like to express their appreciation to Hospice of Acadiana and Bill's special caregivers who gave tirelessly of their time to him and the family during their time of need. Special appreciation to his physicians and nurses who were of great comfort and care.

Memorial contributions in Bill's name may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA. 70503 or by visiting their website at www.hospiceacadiana.com or the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70501.

Visiting hours will be observed at Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location from 9:00 AM Wednesday until time to leave for the church services.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311