William Alford "Bill" Rhodes

August 17, 1938 - June 2, 2013

Announcing the Celebration of Life for William Alford "Bill" Rhodes at 11am on June 5 at Six Mile Cemetery in Carthage, TX. The viewing will be at Wallace-Thomson Funeral Home in Rusk from 5-7pm on Tuesday, June 4. Bill was born on August 17, 1938. He passed away on June 2, 2013. Bill graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1956 and later graduated from North Texas University in 1968 with a degree in Business Administration. Bill proudly served in the U.S. Air force, as a Military Air Police Officer until 1961. He worked for multiple organizations in Dallas, TX, including the Town North YMCA and as a Traffic Manager for Economics Laboratory before purchasing the Montgomery Wards store in Rusk, TX in the late 1970's. He later Co-founded B&R Builders with his friend, W.R. Bowden. Bill loved to work outdoors. He was a park ranger at Jim Hogg State Park, in Rusk, TX, where he also co-authored a biography of Governor James Hogg. He also worked as a Park Ranger and Interpreter at multiple other Texas State parks. After he retired, he worked at the Cherokee County Solid Waste facility on a part time basis where he enjoyed visiting with everyone who came by. Bill was a very active member of the community. He was a member of and avid volunteer to the Dialville United Methodist Church. He was a member of VFW Post 3406 in Rusk, TX. Bill was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America as scout master for Troop 397. Bill's favorite things included seeing the mountains and oceans of Alaska with Lucy Rhodes. He is survived by his Loving Wife-Lucile, his sons-Johnathan and Justin, his daughter-Sarah Jessica, his Granddaughters-Lark Isabelle, Brinn Viola, and Scout Elizabeth, his grandson-Jake, Daughters-in-Law-Shelly and Angela, and his Son-in-Law- Jacob. Raymond Vermillion will officiate and friends and family will serve as honorary pallbearers. "Bill was a wonderful husband and father and I'll love him till the twelfth of never." -Lucy