William Harrison Rudisaile, 87, of Columbia, formerly of Festus, died May 12, 2025, at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia. Mr. Rudisaile was a 1955 Festus High School graduate. He worked at Quality Dairy until he joined the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1957. He worked as an appraiser in St. Louis, Memphis, Tenn., and the Chattanooga/Cleveland area in Bradley County. Once he moved back to Festus, he went back to work for Quality Dairy as a supervisor and later as an appraiser in the Assessor’s Office for the city of St. Louis, where he worked for nearly 30 years. After retiring, he worked part-time for the Board of Equalization in St. Louis and served St. Louis County hearing appeals to property taxes.
While growing up in Festus, he was a Boy Scout, an Eagle Scout and received the God and Country Award. He attended the First Baptist Church of Festus-Crystal City, where he was baptized. After his father died in 1975, He spent 20 years caring for and assisting his mother. He resided in St. Louis for almost 40 years before moving to Columbia to be closer to family. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family and was known for being generous with his money and time. He was a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved visiting the south. Born July 28, 1937, in Festus, he was the son of the late Gertrude (Williams) and William F. Rudisaile.
He is survived by a sister: Lynn (Eddie) Gardiner of Singapore; a brother: George (the late Linda Kay) Rudisaile of Columbia; four nieces: Laura (Bill) Jarvis of Virginia, Sheri (Barry) Beshears of West Virginia, Mia Brooklyn and Ellee Kay Rudisaile, both of Columbia; and many friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a service at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, led by George Rudisaile. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the Heart Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.