The Reverend William Allen Rushford

The Reverend William Allen Rushford passed away on October 31, 2013, at St. Vincent's Care Center at the age of 89. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, November 4, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck with the Most Reverend David D. Kagan, Bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck, as the main celebrant. The Most Reverend Paul A. Zipfel, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Bismarck and the priests of the Diocese of Bismarck will concelebrate. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Marmarth, at 11:00 am Mountain Time, Tuesday, November 5. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Sunday, November 3, at St. Vincent Care Center, Bismarck, and from 3:00 – 8:00 pm at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil will begin at 4:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. William Rushford was born October 21, 1924, in Mindenmines, Missouri, the son of Leo and Regina Bott Rushford. He was raised and educated in Marmarth, ND graduating from high school in 1942, followed by service in the U.S. Army from March 1943 to December 1945. He then attended Crosier Seminary in Onamia, MN, and graduated from St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, CO, with a B.A. Degree in Philosophy in 1955. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bismarck at the Church of St. Mel in Rhame on May 21, 1955, by Bishop Lambert Hoch. His first assignment following ordination was as an assistant at St. Leo in Minot until 1959. He then became pastor of St. Michael in Sentinel Butte and St. Mary in Medora. In 1963 he became pastor of St. Michael in Ray and St. Mary in Epping. From there, he went on to serve as pastor at St. Bonaventure in Underwood, St. Catherine in Turtle Lake, and St. John in Riverdale until 1976. From 1976 to 1979, he served as vicar helper at St. Charles in Bowman, St. Mel in Rhame, and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Marmarth. He was then appointed pastor of those parishes until 1983. From 1983 to 1986, he was the administrator of St. John in Riverdale. Father Rushford became the pastor of St. Nicholas in Garrison and served there until he retired on June 30, 1995. Father Rushford also served as the chaplain of the North Dakota National Guard for a long period of time. The Serra Club and vocations were near and dear to his heart. He had a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Rushford spoke Greek and Latin fluently. His hobbies included gardening, hunting and fishing. Father Rushford is survived by his sister, Winnifred Winnie Wolf, and her husband, Wilfred Woodie, Bismarck; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Father Rushford was preceded in death by his father and mother; his brother, Peter and his sister, Margaret. Memorials may be given to the Diocese of Bismarck Priests Retirement Fund.

The Reverend William Allen Rushford

October 21, 1924 - October 31, 2013