William Newton Rutherford, 72, beloved spouse, father and grandfather departed this life 02/13/2023 at his home. He was a long-time resident of Lithia Springs, GA born to JT and Ethel Rutherford on 05/15/1950. William, fondly known as Bill, Buck, Buster (and a few other names) grew up in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from O’Keefe High School in Atlanta in 1968 and shortly after he married his wife of 50 years Shirley Ruth Rutherford on August 9th, 1968. He worked as an over the road trucker for 30+ years. He enjoyed being a trucker, square dancing, being a Paw-Paw, traveling with his friends, working on cars and was always cracking a joke.
He is survived by four of his children, Sean Rutherford of Lula, Ga, Tonja Rutherford Ray and Russell Ray of Carrollton, GA, Lorelei Rutherford (Tommy) of Carrollton, GA, Terry Rutherford Padgett and Scott Padgett of Marietta, GA and Christy Rutherford Nelson and Chris Nelson of Douglasville, GA. Fourteen grandchildren, Kaitlin Ray, Ansleigh Rutherford, Joshua Rutherford, Haley McDaniel, Kyla Gibbs, Konnor Ray, Kelsie Rutherford, Ryan Ray, Sydney Buckner, Ian Ray, Taylor Rutherford, Kealy Rutherford, Jessica Rutherford and Marley Nelson. Twelve great-grandkids, Harmony Ford, Kayson Owen, Vayda Owen, Josh McDaniel, Raylan McDaniel, Rory Ray, Gunnar Rutherford-Smith, Luna Payne, Grant Atkins, Xaiden Buckner-Walker, Souleil Gibbs and Raleigh McDaniel. He is also survived by his siblings Debbie Gregory, Steve Rutherford, Jimmy Rutherford (and their spouses), cousins, nieces, nephews, countless other family, and many family friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents JT and Ethel Rutherford, his loving wife Shirley Rutherford, his son Tommy Rutherford, siblings Sharon Rutherford and Henry Rutherford and grandson Ryan Ray.
To honor his memory, we are holding a celebration of his life on 03/04/2023 at his home at 1PM. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and remember his life.
