William T. "Billy" Rutledge

William Travis “Billy” Rutledge, 88, died peacefully, September 16, 2010, at his home in Oxford. He was the son of George Reedy and Lyla Rinehart Rutledge. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Booneville. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII where he served as an aviator in the South Pacific.

Upon returning from his service, he taught private piano in Booneville. He used his GI Bill to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Piano Performance. He taught in the Kuehnle School of Music in Natchez and taught in the music department of Co-Lin Community College in Wesson. In 1961, he returned to his home town of Booneville and later became the Chairperson of the Music Department of Northeast Mississippi Community College, where one of his favorite activities was accompanying the annual Northeast musical. He was elected as the President of the Mississippi Music Teachers’ Association. He touched many lives with his musical ability and instruction, and has left a legacy of music for his children.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bobby Hankins officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Booneville Cemetery.

He is survived by three daughters, Leah Shollenberger and her husband Jim of Oxford, Melanie Epperson and her husband Michael of Memphis, and adopted daughter Tina Long of Oxford; and one granddaughter, Tia Mapes of New York City.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Jane Tutor Rutledge; and his parents.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday and until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com

Arrangements under the direction of McMillan Funeral Home, Booneville, MS.