Willis "Bill" Ruff

Willis “Bill” Ruff, 87, of Sumner, Iowa died on Saturday morning, November 14, 2015 at Arlington Place Assisted Living in Oelwein.

Funeral Service:  10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate, with Rev. Herbert C. Mueller, III officiating.

Visitation:  3:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein and for one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.

Inurnment:  St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Westgate, Iowa at a later date.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Willis Caplinger “Bill” Ruff was born on December 15, 1927 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Willis H. & Mary Sue (Caplinger) Ruff.  Bill graduated from high school in Avon, Illinois.  Bill was united in marriage to Leota Dean “Lee” Lang.  Bill lived most of his life in the Westgate area where he farmed and then owned and operated the Westgate Elevator Co. from 1963 to 2004.  Following his retirement, Bill lived in Sumner for ten years.  He lived at Arlington Place for nearly the past two years where he received wonderful care.  Bill was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, the Lions Club in Avon, Illinois and the Rotary Club in Sumner.  He enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his Wife: Leota Ruff of Sumner;

Daughter: Vicki (Lou) Barber of Goodyear, Arizona;

2 Sons: Daryl (Jackie) Ruff of Westgate &

David (Lamphueng) Ruff of Oakland, California;

4 Grandchildren:  Liza (Anthony) Landis of Westgate,

Emily Ruff of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii,

Tyler Ruff of Westgate &

Kaitlyn Ruff of Tempe, Arizona

Great Grandson:  Braxton Landis;

Great Granddaughter:  Braiden Landis;

Brother:  Ted (Lois) Ruff of Avon, Illinois;

Sister:  Joanne Wozniak of Peoria, Illinois

and Nieces & Nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Emerson Ruff and a grandson:  Joshua Ruff.