Ernest William “Bill” Rucker, Jr.

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Mr. Ernest William “Bill” Rucker, Jr., 80, died Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The funeral will be Monday, September 4, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Alan Cochet officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow the service in College Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Rucker was born on August 24, 1943 in Winona, MS to the late Katherine and Ernest William Rucker, Sr. He was a member of the National Guard and attended Holmes Community College, where he played football. Mr. Rucker continued his education at The University of Mississippi, earning his Doctorate of Pharmacy. With a deep love for his Alma Mater, he proudly served as President of the Ole Miss Quarterback Club and served on the Ole Miss Pharmacist Advisory Board. Mr. Rucker owned General Generics Inc. as well as many pharmacies across the state. He and his family were beloved members of College Hill Presbyterian Church. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed many days spent out in nature and especially enjoyed a day spent on the golf course. Mr. Rucker was a huge fan of horse racing, holding a great appreciation for the beauty of the sport. Each year, he looked forward to trips to Hot Springs, Arkansas with his beloved wife, Connie. Most of all, Mr. Rucker cherished his family, especially his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Beverly Rucker and Rena Beth Burton.

Mr. Rucker is survived by his wife, Connie Durham Alford Rucker of Oxford, MS; three daughters, Jayme Alford Rowsey and her husband, Kirk of Batesville, MS, Sandy Jenkins and her husband, Mike of Sardis, MS, and Susan Alford of Oxford, MS; three sons, Bill Rucker III and his wife, Monica of Hernando, MS, John Rucker and his wife, Andrea of Oxford, MS, and Shane Alford of Memphis, TN; sister, Linda O’Bannon of Parsons, TN; brothers, Percy Rucker and his wife, Liz of Murfreesboro, TN and Richard Rucker and his wife, Mary of Lake Placid, FL; seven grandchildren, Marianna Kinniburgh, Collin Alford, Justin Jimenez, Porter Rucker, Conner Rucker, Jenna Jimenez, and Anna May; and two great-grandchildren, Ivy Rawson and Mary Hayden Hankins.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Rucker’s memory may be made to College Hill Building Fund, 339 County Road 102, Oxford, MS 38655 or online at https://chpcoxford.org/.