William Rushby

William “Bill” Fredrick Rushby, 83, of Crown Point, New York passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024 during a short stay at Elderwood At Ticonderoga, New York. Bill was formerly a resident of Blue Grass, Virginia. He was born September 1, 1941 in Chever, New York, a son of the late Walter and Mary Jane (Balmer) Rushby. 

Mr. Rushby attended Albany State University and Michigan State University, where he graduated with a major in sociology. He also attended McGill University, in Montreal for a summer session.

Bill taught at Central Michigan University, Manchester College, and Eastern Mennonite University. For a short period of time Bill came back home when his father had two strokes and taught at Crown Point Central School, and Port Henry High School, to be at the family homestead for support. 

On November 25, 1978, Bill married the love of his life, the widowed Darlene Osborn. Eventually, Bill and Darlene along with Jonathan and David, moved to Highland County, Virginia where he took the position of Postmaster of the Blue Grass Post Office. They purchased a farm in the beautiful Blue Grass Valley where they raised beef cattle, Haflinger horses, sheep, goats and chickens.

Bill loved academics and had a passion for writing scholarly essays with a special interest in the anabaptist. Many of his essays were published in several publications. He enjoyed collecting books for research. He kept the family on their toes with correct grammar! We’ve all learned to say that “we’re doing well,” instead of “we’re doing good!”

In a gathering often Bill’s laughter could be heard resonating throughout the room. He loved little children and their antics! Nothing pleased him more than being in the midst of an impromptu tea party complete with snacks and orange juice with his great nieces and great nephews! The children loved him. He enjoyed reading to them and sometimes read until his voice was hoarse. A favorite pastime while they were visiting his farm was watching his chickens and tending to his cherry tomato plants that were as high as the house! 

Bill and Darlene were of the Orthodox Quaker faith. While they lived in Highland County, they attended the McDowell Mennonite Church and had many close friends there. 

In additions to his parents and wife, Bill was predeceased by his son, David Stephen Rushby; brother, John Rushby; nephew, Charlie Rushby; great-nephew, Justin McLaughlin; and Darlene’s son, Douglas Osborn.

Bill is survived by his brother, Walter Rushby and wife, Dorothy; sisters, Ruth Rushby and Judy McLaughlin and husband, Dean; sister-in-law, Patricia Rushby; nieces and nephews, Kristine Hewko and husband, Colin, Joe Rushby and wife, Alyssa, Tina O’Hanlon, Walter Rushby Jr. and partner, Lisa Child, Tom Rushby and wife, Michelle, Jeff Rushby and wife, Linda, Ruth Visser and husband, Mark, Dean Seth McLaughlin and wife, Katie, Mark Levi McLaughlin and wife, Yvonne, Andrew McLaughlin and wife, Judeya, Charity Iocco and husband, Stephen, Hannah Kravitz and husband, Zael; great-nieces and great-nephews, Phoenix, James, Alana, Kaleigh and husband, Nate, Brian and wife, Kylee, Cassidy, Megan, Jeremy, Cloe, Lydia, Isaac, Ezekiel, Jedidiah, Jacob, Ellie, Esther, Emmie, Mollie, Rebecca, Matthew, Juliana, Jalisa, Rachelle, Marcus, Zack, Maddie, Lila, Jason, Daisy, Jesse, Hadassah, Silas, Addie, Zyanya, Abel, Josie, Forrest, Elsie; great-great-nephews, Owen, Patrick, and Declan; as well as Darlene’s children, Justin Osborn and wife Susanne, Janene Good and husband Gerald, Carla, Jonathan Osborn and wife, Lindsey and their children James and Emily Osborn.

A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the McDowell Mennonite Church, with pastor Steve Good officiating. Interment will follow in the McDowell Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dean Seth McLaughlin, Mark Levi McLaughlin, Andrew Steven McLaughlin, Zael Kravitz, Stephen Iocco, Jonathan Osborn, Gerald Good, Michael Shell.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, as well as at a meal following the graveside service at the church.