William Rudd

Heaven is a little sweeter and a whole lot kinder today. William was born Friday, December 31st, 1982, to William F. (Bill) and Sondra Carter Rudd in Berryville, Arkansas.  He departed his earthly body on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, AR.

William was a one-of-a-kind soul from the moment he was born. He started his time here on earth giving all the doctors and medical teams a run for their money being a medical mystery of the conditions that our heavenly father gifted him with.  William was sent to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR when he was just days old. He was the first known baby in Arkansas to be gifted with these conditions and that is when they started learning and writing medical documents about him.  Throughout the years he has been able to help educate many people about those conditions and teach people that no matter what life throws at you, its always better to be kind and share your smile.

William was loved by all who met him whether it was passing by while he was on his lawn mower or his tractor waving or meeting him at Wal-Mart while he was people watching or going to school events like football games and Special Olympics growing up. He never knew a stranger. Most people could find him at Jim’s Drive In with his grandpa Russell most days or helping his grandpa do something on the farm. They were buddies. William is a graduate of Green Forest High School Class of 2001.

William enjoyed family camping trips, playing with his nieces and nephews, and pulling pranks on his family and friends. He will be dearly missed at football games, band events, and supporting his nieces and nephews in their activities. William enjoyed Semi-trucks, tractors, and country music especially Alan Jackson, Randy Travis and George Straight. He loved to cheer on his favorite teams: Arkansas Razorbacks, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Cardinals. When he wasn’t supporting those he loved you could find him watching Walker Texas Ranger, Dukes of Hazzard, Scooby-Doo, or Longmire. No matter what he was doing or where he went, he always had his hat and a Pepsi in hand or close by.

William is survived by his parents, both of the home, his sister Ashley and her husband Chris Gwinup of Harrison, maternal aunt LeAnn Fowler-Norris of Harrison, maternal uncle Dale and wife Linda Carter of Hollister, MO, paternal aunt Diane and husband Ishmal Cone of Harrison, maternal grandmother Norma Norvell of Harrison, paternal grandfather Edgar (Ed) Rudd of Harrison, Ashley’s five children that he treated as his own, Lashayla, Alayna, Garrick, Zayden Engel and Kennith Gwinup. Cousins Deadra and husband David Bright, Michael and wife Rachel Cone, Kayla Arnold and her children Grayson and Noelle, Robert Carter and his children, David and Lauren Bright and child, Elizabeth and Joe Presley and child, Shane Bright.

William is welcomed into heaven by his maternal grandfather and buddy Russell Carter, paternal grandmother Pauline Crow Rudd, step-grandfather TJ Norvell, Uncle Jack Fowler, Uncle Robert Norris.

Those with special needs come as special gifts to us all, we just have to be willing to see the gift. William’s gift was education, a happy smile, and love for everyone he met.

Celebration of Life service for William will be Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel in Green Forest with pastor Dale Sparks officiating. Interment will follow at Pickens Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, April 28, 5-7 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel. Online condolences can be made at smithfamilyfuneralhome.net.

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