William Harry "Bill" Rudolph
Jul 11, 1951 -
Oct 30, 2023
William Harry "Bill" Rudolph of Richland Center, Wis., died on Oct. 30, 2023, at his beloved farm, from complications of Parkinson's disease at 72. Bill was born in "Old Spenard" on July 11, 1951.
Bill loved baseball, hockey, skiing and music as a youngster. He had been a musician with several local bands and lead singer of Captain Soul's Sound Circus. After college, Bill worked as a Teamsters Union steward in the arctic oilfields and for several major airlines. In 1979, he left Alaska to attend law school in Wisconsin, after which he bought a farm and became a "country lawyer."
Bill raised his family on a hobby farm near Richland Center with horses, chickens, turkeys, cats, dogs, a cow and a pig. Homemade maple syrup was a frequent gift to family and friends.
Bill enjoyed baseball - especially when his kids and grandkids played - flying, backpacking, hiking and most of all, kayaking, traveling the world on frequent kayak tours and spiritual journeys. Alaska never left his heart, and he frequently returned to Anchorage and Homer to meet up with his childhood friends for "Big Chill" camping and kayaking trips, during which many bottles of wine were shared over love and laughter, music, dancing and meaningful conversations.
At age 58, he reconnected with his childhood first love, Valerie "Vallie" Timmerman Elliott, also formerly of Anchorage. They spent a blissful decade kayaking and traveling.
Bill was a lawyer beloved by his clients, but even more, he was a philosopher and a prolific writer, sharing experiences, poetry, music, love and spirituality with friends and family.
Predeceased by parents, Mildred and Harry Rudolph; sister, Dolores; and partner, Valerie Timmerman Elliott. Survived by his children, Ehren (Abby) Rudolph of Minnesota, and Kerry Megan (Jim) Sever of Oregon; four grandchildren; sisters, Pauline Koth of Minnesota (d. Oct. 31, 2023), Lorraine Helling of Wasilla, Marilyn Rudolph of Anchorage. A celebration of life will be held in Wisconsin in spring 2024.
