RAPID CITY- Bill Ruml, AKA Wild Bill, peacefully cashed in his chips and started off on his next adventure on March 31, 2016. He was surrounded by friends and family at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

William Dean Ruml, Billy, came to the world by the way of Richard and Matilda (Meier) Ruml on September 30, 1946 in Mitchell, SD. He grew up on the family farm second to youngest along with his four brothers and two sisters. He had a wonderful relationship with his siblings and loved them dearly.

At an early age, Billy received many award from Future Farmers of America (FFA). He worked hard on the family farm and enjoyed playing football, hunting, cat fishing, and of course street dances. Working long days out in the fields, he often looked up and wondered where those clouds were headed.

In 1967, Bill joined the U.S. Navy and followed them clouds. As a jet mechanic aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, he traveled to many distant lands. Bill served two tours during the Vietnam conflict. Although it was a war he fully never understood, he shared great stories of the experience and was proud to serve his country.

After an honorable discharge in 1969, Bill met his soon to be wife and the love of his life, Patti (Johnson) Ruml while working construction in Platte, SD. They soon after married and moved to Rapid City where they raised their three children.

Bill loved construction work and was well known and respected in the industry. He helped many get their start in the career as well. Bill reshaped the earth with his dozer and there wasn't a machine he couldn't operate. He enjoyed working hard, sometimes up to 100 plus hours a week to meet a deadline. With the American flag flying high off the dozer, he always got 'er done.

Bill was a wonderful father and a great friend to all that knew him. He was very generous with his heart, time and money. He loved the outdoors, western books, fishing, country music and his children. His doors and gates were never locked to the neighborhood kids who often came over to play pool or jump on the trampoline. His neighbors all enjoyed his company and humor.

Bill was our rock and we never took him from granite for we knew he was a diamond. He had an optimistic perspective on life and his words of wisdom were always on cue. Of his many sayings, a favorite of his and ours was: "The suns coming up tomorrow even if it's cloudy." It's been a bit cloudy since he left us, but thanks to him we know the sun is up there. Shine on dad.

Bill is survived by his wife Patti (Johnson) Ruml; his children: Heath Ruml, Shane Ruml, and Angel (Nick) Hix, all of Rapid City; brothers: Ronnie (Sandi) Ruml, Letcher; Donnie Ruml, Watertown; and Kenny (Connie) Ruml, Howard; sisters: Karen Severson, Aberdeen; Elaine Knutson, Letcher; grandchildren: Madeline Ruml, Alec Ruml, Zachary Ruml, Gabriel Hix, Nixon Hix, Rowdy Hix, and Howdy Hix; many nieces and nephews; and last but not least his good ol' canine buddy Bubba who now resides on the family farm Bill grew up on.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Matilda (Meier) Ruml; brother, Richard Ruml; and another good ol' canine Zeus who has probably joined up with him again in the happy hunting grounds.

Special thanks to the family and friends who traveled to visit him, those rough and tough last few months. He really appreciated it. And a big thank you to the wonderful staff of the Rapid City Regional Hospital ICU for their excellent care.

Funeral service and inurnment of his ashes will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2016 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with full military honors rendered by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. A funeral procession will leave Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home at 12:15 p.m.

Celebration of Life and luncheon will follow at the Eagles Club in Rapid City at 2:00 p.m. All friends and family are welcome and encouraged to come to either one or both. If funerals aren't your thing, that's ok.  Bill would say, "Hell, they ain't gotta come to mine, I ain't gonna be at theirs!"