William Upton Ruddock

William Upton Ruddock, 93, of Gonzales passed from this life to everlasting life in heaven on Friday, July 12, 2019.

Upton was born January 18, 1926 in Gonzales County to Henry and Janie Weston Ruddock. He married Esma Rae Whiddon on June 22, 1944 in Ft. Riley, Kansas. As a young man, he joined the United States Army Calvary during WWII. Notably, this was the last equine Calvary Unit in the United States Army. Upton’s unit was sent to navigate through the jungles, mountains, rivers and mangrove swamps of Burma to take the Burma Road back from the forces of Imperial Japan. After honorably serving his country, Upton returned to Gonzales and started Ruddock Vaccinating Service, Inc., a poultry vaccinating service that led him deeper into his love of agriculture. Upton started buying cattle and grew his cattle operation through hard work and a natural business sense. Upton’s word and his handshake were more reliable than any contract ever written.

Upton and Rae enjoyed 64 years of marriage and had two children, Terry Lynn and Sheryl Denise. Rae passed away on July 6, 2008. Upton later married Mary Wood and together they lived happily the balance of Upton’s life. Upton was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Upton loved spending time with his immediate and extended family. He also loved his community and served faithfully on numerous boards and committees. He loved hunting, fishing, throwing horseshoes and washers, playing tennis and dominoes. Upton loved competition. He loved to win, but occasionally “lost” just so his playing partners would come back to play again.

Upton loved his family, friends and the outdoors, but first and foremost in his life was his relationship with the Lord. He loved the Lord and lived his life in a way that showed that love to others. He would want to take this opportunity to encourage each of us to do the same and to share the love of Jesus with as many others as we can.

Upton taught his children and grandchildren many valuable lessons in the course of his life, but none more resounding than the manner in which he lived his life. He was a Christian gentleman with unquestioning faith. Certainly, Upton lived by the Word of God and one simple truth from the scripture 1 John 4:16 "God is Love, and he who abides in Love abides in God, and God in him" may well be the cornerstone of that which made Upton Ruddock the caring, conscientious and generous man he was humbly renown.

William Upton Ruddock is survived by his adoring family: wife, Mary Ruddock; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Debbie Ruddock all of Gonzales; grandchildren, Wade Ruddock (Angie), Will Ruddock (Jennifer), Blake Allen, Renee Lamm (Chris), Becky Young (Randy); and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; two brothers, Weston Ruddock and Mack Ruddock; daughter, Sherry Allen; and wife, Rae Ruddock.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Chris Irving and Pastor Lynn Wilson officiating. Interment will follow at Floyd Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers: Wade Ruddock, Will Ruddock, Blake Allen, Chris Lamm, Curtis Schramm, Rolly Mylius, Daniel Morgan and Matthew Schramm. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital www.stjude.org. Friends may share their condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.