William Martin Ruoff passed away on Thursday June 7, 2018 at the age of 89 after a short illness. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on August 24, 1928 to Martin and Helen Ruoff. As a child and young adult he was a prankster and mischievous. He graduated from Northeast High School in Philadelphia, PA in 1946. In his high school year book his classmates quoted that he was never without a smile on his face, he always seemed to brighten up the situation with his clever wit which he continued to do throughout his whole life.
He started dating his wife of 66 years Doris in high school. He asked her out several times and she turned him down. He decided to ask one last time and she agreed. They dated for 4 years and were married on March 31, 1951.
After high school he joined the naval reserves and was a member for 16 years.
He had several occupations during his lifetime. He worked with an uncle making jewelry on Samson Street in Philadelphia. He worked for the Reading Railroad (the one in the Monopoly Board) for 29 plus years. He started this job in Philadelphia and transferred to Memphis, TN in 1967. When he was displaced from this job, he went to college, graduating with honors. His final job was working at the Defense Depot in Memphis which he retired from.
He liked to be called Bill and often told people his middle initial M stood for “ Marvelous.”
He was an avid gardener and to mom’s dismay planted almost anything. He had a great love of dogs. In their earlier years, he and mom bred and sold dachshunds.
He is predeceased by his wife of 66 years Doris Anna Ruoff, his bothers Charles (Doris) and Bruce (Betty)Ruoff. He is survived by his four children: Bruce (Yoko) Ruoff, Dale June, Donna (David) Wiemar, and Bryan (Lisa) Ruoff; his 7 grandchildren: Jennifer(Matthew) Cox, William Ruoff, Charles (Mandy) Wiemar, Laura (Daryl)Wiemar, Matthew June, Benjamin June and Erica Ruoff; his three great grandchildren Abigail, Raegan, and Charlotte.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday June 27, 2018 from 5-7:30 PM at Harmony Church of Bartlett 6740 St Elmo Road Bartlett, TN 38135. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Alzheimer’s Day Care Center in Memphis, TN.
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