I am so sorry to read of Bill's passing. He was a most remarkable teacher and conversationalist. I met him while he taught at Hong Kong International School. A true blessing for al of us there.

I will always remember him.   

He was there for so many of us for so many years.

I remember Mr Rutherford from Hong Kong . His office was a safe space and a great forum for sharing deep, intense and crazy teenager thoughts and beliefs.
My deepest condolences to his family 

It is not a understatement to say that Rutherford kept us all from a nervous breakdown.  High school was horrible... but he always had time to listen to our problems.  He let us cut classes when we had to work problems out & let us smoke in his office. 
He always put the students ahead of the rules. Never judged and always had time to quietly listen to our silly problems.
What I remember most is his sense of humor. 
 That all sounds small... but he was always a safe place. 

I'm embarrassed that I only connected with him twice in the years after.  But he didn't hesitate for a second when I said my name-& even teased me about a drama that I'd forgotten.  

He lived a compassionate life & will always have a special place in my heart. 
My sympathy goes out to the people that loved him. 


Bill was such a strong  Christian teacher and friend. I remember how not only was he a dedicated teacher and coach but also ran the Lutheran Bookstore for years. We had many times we shared experiences together especially with trips to Camp Lone Star. He was a Facebook friend, and I will miss his quotes and greetings. Rest in peace Bill in the arms of our Lord and Savior.

Mr. (Coach) Rutherford was a role model for me from 5th to 8th grade at Trinity Messiah Lutheran School. Go Tigers!  He spent a lot of time influencing me with his gentle but firm spirit on the court or field. We won and lost in life together. I am who I am today because he sacrificed his time and love for Jesus with me. Coach, thanks for the memories! 

Many memories fill our thoughts of Bill and Nancy  Rutherford and their labors on behalf of students and the Lutheran community.  May God bless the family with joy as they look forward to the day when we shall all be together in glory - in the presence of our Savior and Lord.

Ruth Stoerkel
Trinity Lutheran Church  

I am sorry for your loss. Heaven is blessed to have him in his forever home. He was such a kind man with a heart of gold.  He was an inspiration to me as a child and as an adult.  He was the first non family member I called when mom died in 2009 and he gave me kind words and we said a prayer together, we cried a little and we laughed a little together.   Coach and friend you will always be remembered and loved.  "Dear lord take care of this precious soul and help his family get through these sad times. Bless his children and grandchildren with love and help them to remember all the smiles he passed out here on Earth.  Help them to celebrate his life on Earth and eternal life in heaven.  Amen."

Bill was a wonderful example of Christian love and caring for everyone he met, most especially for Nancy and the girls. 

I can remember as kids meeting all of you before y’all left to go to Hong Kong. I remember getting letters that were on stationary then folded and stamped and mailed. I remember when Bill and Nancy lived with us before they bought a house next door. Fun times at Lutheran High. Car pools and road trips. Jason and Heidi going to Trinity together. I love you all and Carolyn and I have you all in our prayers. I can see Jim and Doris with Bill and Nancy. 3 beers and one unsweet tea. Because your dad always said he was sweet enough. We love y’all. Bill and Carolyn Streger 

May the love in your heart help to heal the loss and know that the Lord is with you.  Mr. Rutherford was a great influence in leading me to choose the teaching profession.  He will always have a special place in my heart.

Mr. Rutherford was such a wonderful teacher/coach with such a big heart. Fly high Mr. Rutherford, God now has another angel.

He was a great coach! I will never forgot our fun PE classes. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. 

Mr. Bill was a great coach. He coached my two boys at TLS and I'm sure his patience was tested many times. But he loved his students and they loved him. I remember the fond memories of him and Jack coaching basketball and just being great friends. Those great friends are now together with our Lord Jesus Christ!


Mr. Rutherford was a great teacher! I remember his slide shows of his time spent living in China. He also knew how to deal with a smart mouth tween. I once told him I did not care if he gave me a dictionary page to copy as punishment, he gave me ten. I also forgot to put my name on some homework I turned in. He put it on there he misspelled it. I got onto him for the misspelling. He told me if I wanted it right to put it on there myself. I was May Beth to him from that day forward. He was also a great friend to my father in law, Fred Witt, and will be remembered in our home for a life time.

Great PE teacher . I remember him at the old Trinity building. Really cared about his students. 

It’s amazing how he kept up with us all!  An awesome man!

He was a great basketball coach and teacher!  My brother and I were lucky to to have him as a teacher.  Rest In Peace

Mr. Rutherford will forever be one of my most favorite teachers.  He saw talents in me I didn’t know I had and he always made time to sit and encourage me.  I loved to draw in grade school and I can remember he would share his drawings with me and give me pointers on how I could get better. He was such a great man. Such a powerful force and amazing influence.  A true man of God and I’m so very fortunate to have been coached and taught by him. God speed!  Well done good and faithful servant. ❤️

This man was a great influence on me.  He got me to join the 5th grade soccer team, and I was hooked on team sports.  I learned how to handle many challenges and how to make friends.  He made me a goalkeeper in 8th grade, and gave me a great baseball foundation.  In fact, many of the Trinity baseball players went on to Lutheran North and won many games.  So many of my longest friendships were in activities under his guidance.  Mr. Rutherford was a great servant of the Lord.  I am very thankful for him.

OBITUARY

William "Bill" Dane Rutherford

July 25, 1935 – May 19, 2020

Pat H. Foley & Company

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