Ruhs, William 'Bill' Charles

William “Bill” Charles Ruhs, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at the Rock Ridge Residential Care Center in Shellsburg. Services: 10 a.m. Friday, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hiawatha, with military honors by the American Legion Post 727. Burial: Cedar Memorial Cemetery. A vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church.

Bill is survived by two sons, Bill (Nancy) of Cedar Rapids and David (Sandy) of West Des Moines; seven grandchildren, Amy (Michael) Monita, Michelle Ruhs, Robyn (Reino) Tuomala, Rachel (Jeremy) Peters, Annie Wade and Diane (Brad) Hatcher, and Kevin (Anna) Ruhs; and five great-grandchildren.

His wife, Margaret; and a daughter, Su Hill, preceded him in death.

He was born Aug. 30, 1925, in New York, the son of William and Ruth Ote Ruhs and was married to Margaret Lillian Dvorak on June 30, 1953 in Clutier. He was a retired machinist with Cherry Burrell Company. He was a World War II Navy veteran and continued to serve following the war.

Bill loved the outdoors and always looked for reasons not to be indoors. He loved to fish and hunt with his sons, spend time in his garden and was an excellent woodworker. He was known as a “Jack of all trades” which came in handy when he helped his sons build their houses. His main focus in life, above all else, was to be a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Bill lived his life always putting his family first.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published in The Gazette Oct. 17, 2012.