William Larry “Bill” Rudolph

William Larry “Bill” Rudolph, 72, retired U.S. Army master sergeant, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:00 P.M. followed by services at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 19, at First Baptist Church Saginaw (300 N. Old Decatur Rd, Saginaw, TX 76179).

Honorary Pallbearers are: Larry Hunt, Don Hunt, Mike Kendrick, Lucas Hodges, Charlie Barganier, Dennis Roe, and Charles Kellander.

The family will be receiving guests at the home of Lucas and Barbie Hodges following the services — 716 Lonesome Star Tr., Haslet, TX 76052.

Bill was born December 28, 1943 in Woodstock, Illinois to Ann and Lester Rudolph. The Rudolphs moved to Mission, Texas when Bill was in 5th grade. He graduated from Sharyland High School in 1963, lettering in football and track. He met Judy Hunt on a blind date on September 15, 1961 and they married on July 26, 1966. They have one daughter, Barbie Rudolph Hodges.

Two weeks after he and Judy married, Bill left for Vietnam for his first 1-year tour. The next two years they were stationed at Fort Sill, followed by another 1-year tour in Vietnam. After being stationed in several locations across the country and overseas, he retired in 1989 in Fort Worth. Following his retirement from the Army, he began working for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s office as a detainment officer in 1991. He retired from Tarrant County in 2005.

After retirement, Bill enjoyed attending Aggie football games with the family. He frequented the local gun shows and was a member of the NRA. He was a lifelong member of the First Cavalry. Bill enjoyed spending time at home with his wife and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Bill was preceded in death by father, Lester Rudolph; brother, Jimmy Rudolph; and mother, Ann Rudolph McCrory.

Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy Rudolph; daughter, Barbie Hodges and husband, Lucas of Haslet, Texas; sister, Terry Rudolph of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and grandchildren, Cayden and Deklan Hodges.

Bill’s ashes will be interred at a later date at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with full military honors.