William “Bill” Rudicill
William “Bill” Abner Rudicill, 84, of Burlington, KY passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Florence, KY.
Bill was born in Burlington, Kentucky in 1939. As a boy, Bill was introduced to many things that would later become lifelong interests.
Bill enjoyed working with his brother on trucks and equipment. This developed into an incredible hobby of restoring and displaying equipment. Later in life, he traveled the country to find forgotten equipment, fix it up, and share it with all generations. He is known by people all over the world for his equipment collections. He was an active member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion and Bluegrass ATHS Kentucky Chapter. He was also the past president of Historic Construction Equipment Association, and Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club.
In his early years, he lived at his grandfather’s orchard. He learned to appreciate the land, the trees, farming, family, fresh food, and community. Bill also developed an excellent work ethic. With his wife, Mary Sue, he started Belleview Sand And Gravel, a family business that they operated for 36 years. Bill never shied away from hard work. He was willing to work side by side with his employees to get the job done. As a business owner, he was recognized for his commitment to land reclamation multiple times. He felt a deep responsibility to keep the community that he lived in beautiful.
Bill was loved by all who knew him well. He always had a good story to tell. He enjoyed having all of his family close by. He loved his grandchildren and supported them in all their endeavors. Bill was blessed with many wonderful friends throughout his lifetime, who appreciated his humor and genuineness. He was generous to his community with his time and resources, including his church, Belleview Baptist.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Kathryn Rudicill; his wife, Mary Sue Rudicill (nee Rogers); and his daughter, Deborah Jo Rudicill.
He is survived by his daughters, Susan (Bill) Shuffett, Sandra (Danny) Cupps, and Paula (BJ) Vaske; and his brother, Jim (Carol) Rudicill.
He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Katie (Jamie) Noonan, Myra (Rives) Rash, Christina (Josh) Powell, Cassidy (Jeremiah) Armstrong, Jeremiah Cupps (Anna Doll), Blair Cupps, Luke (Macee) Vaske, Levi (Tris) Vaske, Pollyanna Vaske, Gianna Vaske, Silas Vaske, and Isaac Vaske; and his great-grandchildren, Grace, Will, Harper, T.R., Tyrus, Thaddeus, Mason, Caroline, and Hudson.
Visitation for Bill will be on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 3:00 PM until the time of service at 5:30 PM at Belleview Baptist Church. He will be laid to rest at Belleview Cemetery. A celebration of his life will follow the services at the church. In honor of Bill, antique equipment tractors, cars, and trucks are encouraged to be displayed by friends and family around the church and downtown Belleview.
Memorial contributions can be made to Belleview Baptist Church.
To share a story or leave a condolence, please visit:
Belleview Baptist Church 6658 5th Street
Burlington, KY 41005
Belleview Baptist Church 6658 5th Street
Burlington, KY 41005
Belleview Baptist Cemetery
Address: KY-18 Burlington, KY 41005Belleview Baptist Church 6658 5th Street
Burlington, KY 41005
Bill’s contributions to WMSTR in Rollag MN
As a lifetime member and past President of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, MN, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Rudicill family and all of his friends.
When Bill first came to the WMSTR show he liked what he saw. He later made our organization an offer to bring his 50B steam shovel to the show as a permanent, working exhibit. That is what we are all about, and thank God we accepted that offer. It led to so much more in the many years that followed… More BIG and very rare exhibits of all kinds, a building he donated and built, now known as the Rudicill building, and he always brought a lot of like minded people with him from “down south” who were all very instrumental building what has now become arguably the largest working museum of antique construction equipment in the world. Bill of course would credit many others who would come along to help, and the many new talented friends he made in Minnesota, but his fingerprints are all over everything in our “sandbox” construction exhibit.
He was a larger than life man, and one I am happy to say I knew. His handshake meant a great deal, and his absence at our annual show will be felt by many.
Rest in peace Bill, and thank you for your kind generosity and contributions to our organization. We are all better having you as our friend.
Mark Kerkvliet
WMSTR member and Past President
