William Ruple

William Lloyd Ruple, 69, died Thursday, June 28, 2018 peacefully at home following a courageous battle with cancer.
He leaves his son, Robert Ruple and wife, Summer Ruple; and his daughters, Tabitha Skinner and husband, Billy Bob Skinner and Nicole Patterson and husband, Steve Patterson; his mother, Elaine Harris and his two sisters, Bonnie Zollinger and JoLynn Hickman. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Aubry Ruple, Maddy Ruple. Coleson Ruple, Claire Patterson and Abigail Patterson.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy Ruple; His father, William Wesley Ruple, and his two brothers: Rodney Ruple and Clint Ruple.
Born in Farmington and raised in Gallup, the son of Bill and Elaine Ruple, he was a lifelong resident of the Four Corners area.
He served with honors in the U.S. Army and he was discharged in January of 1969 after a tour in Vietnam. He valued his wife and family above all else, and he was always an excellent provider. He worked in the oilfields outside of Farmington in his younger days, then he owned a gas station. He always wanted to be a pilot though, and he earned his pilot's license in his 20s. He flew for several major airlines, finishing his career as a private pilot and flight instructor. He owned both Farmington Billiards and Farmington Aviation. Flying was his passion, and he loved to take his kids and grandkids for rides up in his Sesna.
Lloyd loved motorcycles, and it was always his dream to own a Harley Davidson. He achieved that dream, and he loved to take it for rides in the country where he lived. He was an avid pool player as well, and he was extremely good at it. He loved playing pool at Farmington Billiards so much that he bought the place and owned it for over a decade. Needless to say, Lloyd was a wonderful man and he will be dearly missed.
Funeral Services will be at 10 am Friday July 6, 2018 at the LDS church at 400 W Apache Street in Farmington, interment will follow immediately at Memory Gardens. Williams Care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St., in Farmington. (505)325-8688. You may share condolences with the family on our website: www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com/