Wilburn (Bill) Rust, retired Travis County Auditor, passed away with his loving wife by his side on Thursday night, December 5th, 2024. He was born and raised in Travis County. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Richland community and then charter member of Evangelical Reformed which later merged with Pecan Springs Christian to become United Christian Church. He and Nell were active members of the church, as well as their members at Saengerrunde and Scandinavian Club. Bill enjoyed listening and dancing to live music with Nell and loved watching his Saturday night Polka shows on television.
Bill received the call to serve in the U.S. Army in 1952. After completing his basic training, he served as a Corporal in the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge from service in 1954.
In 1967, Bill was appointed to be Travis County Auditor by the District Judges and held the position for 20 years. He was appointed by Governor Dolph Biscoe to be a board member of the Texas Co and District Retirement Systems. He would go on to be renewed by Governor Bill Clements and would serve for 11 years.
Bill was an avid golfer and frequently played the courses around the Austin area. At any given time during the year, a golf tournament was always on the television. The one thing that he would turn off golf for was his beloved Houston Astros. He shared his love of baseball with his grandchildren. In the summers, he and Nell would take them to Houston to see Astros games and visit the "Big City."
He is survived by his wife Nell of 73 years, his son Bryan Rust, grandchildren Brandon Rust, Holly Lasater and husband Ben, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Fred and Pauline Rust, daughter Pamela Rust Sharp, brother Vernon Rust, and three sisters- Evelyn Schmidt, Lillian Pemberton, and Ruby Helton.
Funeral Services for Bill will be held on Friday, December 20th at 2 PM, with a visitation beginning at 1 PM, at Cook Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home.
