Roy Hill "Buddy" Rutledge

Roy Hill “Buddy” Rutledge, 96, of Portland, died Monday, March 21, 2022, at his son’s home.  Mr. Rutledge was a native and former resident of Monroe, Louisiana and a resident of Portland for over 80 years.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy, where he was a member of the Navy Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees, during World War II.  Mr. Rutledge was a farmer and welder for 70 years, a member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, Local 798, for over 70 years and a member of the Portland Baptist Church.  Mr. Rutledge enjoyed fishing and deer hunting and loved spending time with his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Gracie Lee Hefley Rutledge in 2004; a son, David Rutledge in 2018; a daughter, Freida Cunningham Scroggins in 2019; his parents, William M. and Ara Beth Armstrong Rutledge; three sisters, Elizabeth Hamilton, Repter Tippen and Leola Davis and a brother, W.A. Rutledge.

He is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Hill of Maumelle; three sons, William Bruce Rutledge and wife, Joy, of Florence, Mississippi, George Rutledge and wife, Brenda, of Portland and John Paul Rutledge and wife, Vicki, of Maumelle; 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2022, at the Portland Baptist Church with Bro. Carl Mason and Bro. Jerry Selby officiating.  Burial will be in the Portland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Clifton Berry, Gregg Grantham, David Kilcrease, Bob Young, Jeremy Dalton and Mike Brooks.  Memorials may be made to the Portland Cemetery Association, PO Box 174, Portland, AR  71663. 

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., Thursday at the church.

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