William George Ruf, Jr. of Federalsburg passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Tidal Health Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford.

He was born on March 31, 1953 in Easton, the son of the late William George Ruf, Sr. and Eva Mae Collins Ruf.

Growing up in Federalsburg, he graduated from Colonel Richardson High School with the class of 1971. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Army. In 1983 he married Connie Eskridge and made their home in Federalsburg. Expanding on knowledge he gained in the Army, Bill attended school at Delaware Technical and Community College to receive a formal degree in electrical engineering in 1989.

After 35 years at Verizon Communications, Bill retired in 2013. In 2015, after realizing he had more free time than he knew what to do with, he started working for Utility-Eastern Shore Trailer in Bridgeville as a delivery driver.

In his spare time, Billy was an active member of the Idlewild Ruritan Club, VFW Post #5246 in Federalsburg, Gethsemane United Methodist Church, and served as Past President of Hill Crest Cemetery Association. He was the most kind, caring, hardworking, friendliest man you met and don’t think he ever met a stranger. To know him you were fortunate and he would have considered himself fortunate to have known you. Bill took pride in his yard, enjoyed woodworking, carving decoys, and building furniture. He was a weekly participant in the Rock Steady Boxing Parkinson’s program at the Easton YMCA. Billy enjoyed attending Nascar races all over the country with the infamous group of four. He looked forward to taking trips to South Carolina to visit his daughter. Bill was often found practicing golf in the front yard but now is shooting under par and walking tall down the fairway or out on the water catching the biggest rockfish.

He is survived by his loving wife, Connie Eskridge Ruf of Federalsburg; one daughter, Megan Ruf and her fiancé Chris Dudleck of Charleston, SC; a dear sister, Bonnie Lyden of Hurlock; nephew Noah Lyden and his wife Meredith and their children Sloane and Kemp all of Bridgeville; an uncle, Charles Ruf and his wife Norma Lee of Federalsburg; four brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law George and Bobbie Eskridge, a brother-in-law, Bill “Ed” Lyden and sister-in-law, Linda Eskridge.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 4 at the Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg. Burial followed at Hill Crest Cemetery. 

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Idlewild Ruritan Club, c/o Harry Nagel, 25908 Three Bridges Road, Federalsburg, MD 21632 and the Federalsburg VFW, 2630 Veterans Drive, Federalsburg, MD 21632.

Share memories with the family at www.framptom.com.