William "Bill" Spencer Rushing Sr.

William "Bill" Spencer Rushing Sr. yielded his soul to God on December 23rd 2014 in Oahu, Hawaii at the age of 79. Bill was born on July 6th, 1935 in the Bronx, NY. Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954 and served 21 years in the Submarine Service as a Radioman. The Navy brought Bill to Oahu in 1963 where he remained for the rest of his life. He later graduated from Chaminade University in Oahu, HI with a degree in Criminal Justice. Though he traveled all over the world, he was exceptionally proud to live in his adopted Aina. After retiring from the Navy, Bill served in the Hawaii State Prison System for 34 years before retiring in 2010. Bill was dedicated to serving his country, community, family, friends, and all those that he encountered.

Bill was an accomplished weightlifter and won numerous Navy and Hawaii Law Enforcement Division bench press championships. He was a passionate advocate for honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and served as the Coordinator of the Oahu Martin Luther King Parade Coalition for over 20 years. In this position, he earned the prestigious NAACP Special Achievement Award for his selfless and devoted leadership. Bill was a longstanding member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and recently earned Centennial Membership Certificate. Bill came to Christ young in life and rededicated his life to His service in 2011.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Rushing; children, Bill Rushing Jr. of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Raymond Rushing of Virginia Beach, VA, Linda Johnson of Yorktown, VA, Brandon Rushing of Winston-Salem, NC, and Michael Rushing of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren Wayne and Wynn-Song Rushing of Atlanta, GA, Derek Johnson of Yorktown, VA, and Brianna Mitchell of Winston-Salem, NC; brothers, Byron Rushing of Boston, MA and Lawrence Rushing of New York, NY; nephew Keith Rushing and niece, Osula Rushing, four grand-nieces, Sisters-in-Law Sandra Aken Moleta of Nanakuli, HI, Purcella Coleman of Atlanta GA, and Mary Keith and Pauline Anthony of North Carolina, Brothers-in- law Leo Brown of Oregon, and Purcell, Christopher, and Gilbert Anthony of North Carolina, a host of nieces and nephews, and many Hanai family members in Oahu and the mainland. He is preceded by his parents William and Linda Rushing.

An inurnment ceremony with full military honors is scheduled for the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on January 23rd, 2015 at 1:00pm and will be followed by memorial services at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew at 2:00pm. The Very Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill's life. The family would like to thank Bill’s friends and fraternity brothers for their incredible support during this difficult time.

The family takes comfort in Jesus’ words found in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”