With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of family man, World War II veteran and longtime resident of Stamford, CT William (Bill) Rudman. Bill passed away peacefully in the home he shared with his loving wife of nearly 69 years, Joan Combs Rudman. He fought for his independence to the end, the way he fought for his country, courageously and proudly. He was 100 years young.

Bill leaves behind his beloved wife, Joan, whom he met on a blind date. She always says how he was everything she wanted in a man. He fit the Bill! Also surviving are his caring daughters, Mary Beth Trapeni of N. Reading, MA and Pamela Bensey and her husband, Timothy, of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Matthew, Brad and Hannah Trapeni, Jack and William Bensey; sister, Mariann Olson of Petoskey, MI; brothers, Robert (Karen) of Wenatchee, WA and Donald (Dolores) of Rockford, MI; cousins Helen Varichak of S. Holland, IL and Paul Kalinich of Glen Ellen, IL and countless nieces and nephews.

As the second of eight children of the late Theodore (formerly Teodor Vidovic) and Mary (Bratel) Rudman, Bill was born on the Southeast Side of Chicago, IL on November 17, 1919. In search of work and respite, Bill’s father frequently moved the family between the Windy City and the rural farmlands of Michigan where his children attended a one-room schoolhouse and Bill graduated from Eau Claire High School. Bill absorbed the best of both worlds with his adaptability and sense of adventure.

Due to the Great Depression and a shortage of jobs, in 1938, Bill and his older brother Paul joined the U.S. Navy at their father’s urging. In fact, all seven of the Rudman sons as well as their father were military men, Bill and three brothers in WWII. Upon completion of Basic Naval Training in Newport, RI, Apprentice Seaman Rudman and Paul were assigned to the light cruiser USS Nashville CL-43, General MacArthur’s flagship in the Second World War. Bill served eight years in total, prewar and combat duty. He rose through the ranks to Lieutenant junior grade, Chief Fire Controlman aboard the USS Atlanta CL-104 in 1944. By war’s end, Lt. Rudman had valiantly earned 6 medals and 12 battle stars, unwittingly becoming a member of the Greatest Generation. He was truly a humble hero.

Taking the GI Bill, William returned to his roots and attended Michigan State College (MSU today) earning a B.S., Electrical Engineering degree in 1951. Soon, he married his college sweetheart, Joan, the artist who brought balance to his life. The newlyweds promptly moved to New York where Bill began his 30-year career with IBM initially working on government defense contracts and the SAGE Project. Together with their daughters, Bill and Joan settled in Stamford, CT in the mid-sixties.

Once retired, Bill volunteered as a tax preparer for the elderly for 22 years and as a math tutor to GED students. At one time, he was a Deacon in his church and a scout leader, undeniably a man of service. He also worked as a rental housing agent and expert tinkerer. He busily spent time working in his yard, maintaining his home and repairing his cars. Bill was a fixture in his neighborhood, sporting tan khakis, white tee shirt and a beat-up brown fedora. He never left home without a hat, even if just while puttering around the yard, a sign of his generation.

Bill was a good, honest, family man and a proud patriot. He lived his life with integrity, standing by his convictions. Growing up in the Depression, Bill’s family didn’t have much but they had each other and the love that bound them. Family was everything. Bill extended that love to others by lending a helping hand.

Following his father’s motto, "learn something new everyday”, Bill taught his daughters well. He taught them how to perfectly make a bed so that you could bounce a quarter off of it; scrub bathrooms with an old toothbrush; wash dishes, bicycles, cars, windows, anything - all ship shape! He modeled how to recycle-reuse-repurpose before it was a thing. True to the Depression, he wasted nothing. They learned from him about tools and, of course, how to fix things. He even taught his girls the finer points of properly digging dandelions (lots of them) by hand, at the root, from the hard, clay earth. Yes, he was a real "Girl Dad”!

Those who knew Bill appreciated how intelligent, resourceful, hardworking and strong he was. Hard work was his exercise which allowed him to climb stairs into his 100th year. Everyone admired his sharp memory and fascinating stories. He liked crossword puzzles, the Chicago Cubs and keeping up with the news. He enjoyed beautiful music, dancing, reading maps, taking backroads and helping others. He loved fixing things, his mother’s cooking, jelly donuts, a good cup of coffee and friends. But most of all, Bill loved his family.

With his dimpled smile and a twinkle in his eyes, Bill will be truly missed. Aloha, old man.

Bill was predeceased by his cherished brothers, Paul (Jayne), Raymond (Ann), Theodore and Thomas Rudman and step-mother, Edna Mullins Rudman.

Honoring Bill’s wishes, there will be no services at this time. His ashes will be interred with military honors in the Cleon Township Cemetery, Copemish, MI at a later date.

To all of you who enriched Bill’s life, his family thanks you deeply.

In lieu of flowers, celebrate Bill’s life by kindly considering a donation in his name to garysinisefoundation.org or the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut, nfbct.org.