Funeral services for Willie “Smith” Rutland of Ruth are 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Providence Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is at the church on Friday from 5 until 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 until 11 a.m.

Mr. Rutland, 71, died Dec. 11, 2013, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 22, 1942, to Woody James Rutland and Ethel Smith Rutland.

He was a veteran of the United States Army. He retired from Georgia Pacific as a payroll supervisor. He also was a member of Providence Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jerry Rutland and his sister, Bettye Price.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Vivian Brent Rutland; his sons, Terrell Rutland and wife, Kim, Wayne Rutland and wife, Dana, Jeff Rutland and wife, Carla and Brent Rutland and wife, Peta; his brother, Rex Rutland and wife, Ruth; sister, Barbara Adair and husband, Don, and a sister-in-law, Ramona Rutland. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Erika, Crystal, Taylor, Nicole, Hannah, Powell, Brook, Ashton, Jadyn, Kye, Lexi, Tristan and Tommy.

In lieu of flowers: Memorials may be made to Providence Baptist Church, for the ministry of Brent and Peta Rutland, missionaries in Australia, 3266 Mallalieu Drive SE, Ruth, MS 39662.

If you would like to leave a word of sympathy to the Rutland family, you may do so at www.riverwoodfamily.com.