1. Bill Rutter was a former biology teacher for Lockport High School and had served as principal for both Lockport East and Lockport West High Schools. He retired as superintendent from the Valley View School District in Romeoville. In addition, Bill was a member of the Lions Club, board member and past president of the Lockport Park District and past commissioner of the Lockport Fire Department. He delivered food to the elderly as part of Meals on Wheels. Bill also had a talent and love for singing, especially gospel music. During his life, Bill sang as a member of the Joliet Junior College Choir, The Joliet Barbershop Quartet, for various Joliet area churches and with his family as a member of a quintet. “Dad’s singing was really central to his life” said Bill’s son Jeffery Rutter of Lockport, who sang in church choirs with his father for 25 years. “When he was singing there was nothing else happening. He was just swinging to the music. For me, I learned a lot from him on how to approach things with passion. Once he dedicated himself to something, he was dedicated to it. He was an innovative educator, he and my mother traveled all over the world and he was one of the most avid bird-watchers I knew.” “He started out singing when he was very young”, said Bill’s wife Elaine Rutter of Lockport. “When he was only 3 years old, he would sing in a little grocery store by Silver Cross Hospital and the man would give him candy.” A boy soprano. Bill’s voice was in high demand at area churches, both as a soloist and as an occasional participant in various church choirs. As a student as Joliet Junior College, Bill sang in the school’s choir with Elaine. As an adult tenor, Bill sang with his church choir at the First Congregational Church of Lockport. Eight years ago, he formed a family quintet that often sang together. Along with Bill, members included Elaine and granddaughter Jamie Rutter of Lockport. They interchanged soprano and alto parts. Also included were sons Jeffery Rutter of Lockport (Jamie’s father), and Mark Rutter of Lockport, who sang bass. Two other sons, Rick Rutter of Missouri and Bruce Rutter of Lockport, do not sing. Bill enjoyed singing with his family so much that when he learned he had only two weeks to live, he arranged for the quintet to sing one last time at church. They prepared a gospel medley, “Leaning on the Rock of Ages”. “He got up early very excited about going,” Elaine said. “We took him in his wheelchair with his tank of oxygen and we sang. Everyone couldn’t believe how strong his voice was and God gave us the strength to do this because it was not easy. The interesting part is that our pastor (Rev. Matthew Baugh) had a sermon on miracles that morning. This was a miracle. And when we left, Bill had a standing ovation.” [144]

1. John Adam Wakenshaw (my father) was ring bearer at the wedding.