William Gene "Bud" Rue

William “Bud” Rue, 69, of Ozark, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 3, 2015 in Ozark after a prolonged illness. Bud was born November 6, 1945, in Hominy, Oklahoma, and moved back to Arkansas when he was ten years old. He graduated from Ozark High School in 1963, where he made all district in football; then later from Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s in business administration. Bud was retired from Arkansas Valley Electric where he worked as a member service representative/key accounts representative for 36 years. He also served as a member of Arkansas National Guard, 142nd Field Artillery Unit, Battery C. He had an appreciation for music, children, friends, family, history and a love for the outdoors and often enjoyed combining them on outings. He was a member of Ozark First United Methodist Church and active in the Methodist Men’s program until his later years. Throughout his years in Ozark, he served on the board for the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce where he received the lifetime achievement award in 2007. He was also involved in Rotary where he was honored with the Paul Harris award. He served as a member of the advisory committee of Arkansas Tech University Ozark Campus and was a board member of the Logan County Industrial development Corp. He was a proud member of the board of directors of the FFA Foundation and was awarded an Honorary American Degree in 2003 and many other civic and local organizations. Bud achieved the status of Master Mason and was a brother of that organization. He was preceded in death by his father, William Aud Rue and mother Kowanda Belle Wilkinson Rue-Hill. Survivors include the love of his life of 42 wonderful years, Kathey Harris Rue of Ozark; three children: a daughter, Lexie Rue Harris and her husband, Richard Harris of Ozark; daughter Kammy Rue Pelz and husband Jay of Prairie Grove; and a son William Lewis Rue of Ozark; a sister Patricia Bevil and husband Bob of Ozark; two grandsons, Jackson and Ethan Harris of Ozark; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, September 5, 2015 at First Methodist Church Sanctuary in Ozark with Pastor Jeff Jackson and Cody Culver officiating with Masonic services at graveside at Duncan Cemetery under direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Friday, September 4th at Shaffer Funeral Home, 2315 West Commercial in Ozark. Serving as pallbearers are Mike, Dennis and Todd Harris, Rhan Walker, Bryer Cowell and Bud Ross; honorary pallbearers are Gratton Harris, Landy Doyel, Charles Ray White, Billy Joe Sawitsky, Bob and Todd Bevil, Jim Gowing, Elvin Walker, Clayton Tompkins, Ozark Nursing Home Staff, Arkansas Valley Electric, and Ozark High School Class of 1963. To leave an online condolence to the family, visit the website: shafferfuneralhomeweb.com. The family requests that honorariums be made to the United Methodist Men at Ozark United Methodist Church, 503 West Commercial Street in Ozark.

William Gene "Bud" Rue

November 6, 1945 - September 3, 2015