Wilma Rutland

Wilma Lee Rutland passed from this life on June 25th, 2015 at the age of 90. She was born September 18, 1924 in Bearden, Oklahoma, to Floyd and Nora Shults. She married Ken Rutland on September 14, 1946. They were married nearly 65 years when he preceded her in death in 2011. Wilma, who was nicknamed “Bill” as a youth in Oklahoma, and Ken lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Houston and Dallas, Texas before moving to Lampasas in 1956 where Ken became the manager of the J.C. Penney Store. Wilma was a loving homemaker, and when Ken bought the store on the square from Cox and Shanks in 1966, she became an excellent salesperson there. In addition, she was an accomplished seamstress, and for many years did a great job doing the alterations for Rutland’s Fashion and Western Wear store. She was a wonderful cook, and her dishes were favorites at holidays, family gatherings, and church pot-lucks. She fixed many meals for visiting preachers, and would not turn away strangers who came to her door asking for a meal. She had a beautiful soprano voice, and would sing around the house, and the staff at Lampasas Nursing and Rehab would comment about her beautiful singing voice. She loved to laugh, and when she would play dominoes and 84 she was a fierce competitor. Wilma was a member of the First Street Church of Christ, and she loved her family, the church, and the Lord. Wilma is survived by a son, Jim, and wife Darlene of Lampasas; son, John (Randy) of Eagle Rock, California; daughter, Mary Earle of Yantis, TX; by a sister, Wanda Shults of Okemah, Oklahoma; a brother, Van Shults of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; grandchildren Colton Earle of Austin, Texas; Shana Earle of Yantis; Ethan Earle of Yantis; David Rutland and wife Beth of Collinsville, Oklahoma; Mark Rutland and wife Julie of San Antonio, Texas; Jeff Rutland and wife Stephanie of Lampasas; and Ben Rutland and wife Alisan of Richardson, Texas. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, and by many nieces and nephews who remember her as “Aunt Bill.” Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Ken, by her parents, and by her brothers, Jack Shults and Mack Curtis Shults. Visitation for Wilma Rutland will be Wednesday July 1, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sneed Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held Thursday July 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Street Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Sneed Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements