In Memory of William “Bill” Rushing

Our dear friend and leader of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition- Hawai’i, William "Bill" Spencer Rushing Sr. yielded his soul to God on December 23rd 2014 in Oahu, at the age of 79.

Bill served as the rock and soul of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition-Hawaii from its beginning as a nonprofit organization in 1992. Beginning in 1987 Bill worked tirelessly with hundreds of other members of the community to make this day a holiday. In this position, he earned the prestigious NAACP Special Achievement Award for his selfless and devoted leadership. Bill was born on July 6th, 1935 in the Bronx, NY.

Enlisted in the in 1954 Bill served 21 years in the Service as a Radioman. Being a Submariner is a role like no other. It takes a

Silver Dolphins unique individual to operate such advanced technology at the depths of the oceans. It's not the job for everyone, but if man is up to the challenge, it rewards him in ways the rest of us will never know is possible. Bill worked in a top secret position on the USS Barbel 580 a diesel-electric submarine. USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), a James Madison-class ballistic missile nuclear submarine, and finally the USS Halibut SSGN 587, a unique guided missile nuclear submarine turned special operations platform. Bill was a life member of the USSVI-Bowfin Base, Pearl Harbor (Submarine Veterans) and an inductee into the Holland Club. A submarine Veteran who has been designated “Qualified in ” for fifty (50) years or more is eligible to be a member of the Holland Club.

The Navy brought Bill to Oahu in 1963 where he made his home for the remained of his life. Though he traveled all over the world, he was exceptionally proud to live in his adopted Aina. He later graduated from Chaminade University in Honolulu, HI with a degree in Criminal Justice and had entered the Masters Program. After retiring from the Navy, Bill served as an administrator in the Hawaii State Prison System for 34 years before retiring in 2010.

Bill was an accomplished weightlifter and won numerous Navy and Hawaii Law Enforcement Division bench press championships. A longstanding member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Bill recently earned Centennial Membership Certificate. Bill was dedicated to serving his country, community, family, friends, and all those that he encountered.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Anthony Rushing; children, William Bill Rushing Jr. of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Raymond Rushing of Beach, VA, Linda Johnson of Yorktown, VA, Brandon Rushing of Winston-Salem, NC, and Michael Rushing of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren Wayne and Wynn-Song Rushing of Atlanta, GA, Derek Johnson of Yorktown, VA, and Brianna Mitchell of Winston-Salem, NC; brothers, Mass. State Representative Byron Rushing of Boston, MA and Dr. Lawrence Rushing of New York, NY; nephew Keith Rushing and niece, Osula Rushing, four grand-nieces, Sisters-in-Law Sandra Aken Moleta of Nanakuli, HI, Purcella Coleman of Atlanta GA, and Mary Keith and Pauline Anthony of North Carolina, Brothers-in- law Leo Brown of Oregon, and Purcell, Christopher, and Gilbert Anthony of North Carolina, a host of nieces and nephews, and many Hanai family members in Honolulu and the mainland. He is preceded by his parents William and Linda Rushing.

An inurnment ceremony with full military honors is scheduled for the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on January 23rd, 2015 at 1:00pm and will be followed by memorial services at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew at 2:00pm. The Very Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill's life. The family would like to thank Bill’s friends and fraternity brothers for their incredible support during this difficult time.