Kenneth W. Rudisill, Jr., 69, of Valencia, formerly of Penn Hills, died peacefully Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, after a long illness in Butler, PA. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Debra (née Napolitan), with whom he had and raised three children, Kendal, Kenneth, III (Angela) and Kamron, all present by his side moments before his passing. He leaves behind four granddaughters: Sara Simmons, Josselyn, Natalie, and Abigail Rudisill. He is survived by his sister Diane (Gordon) Marburger of Evans City, brother James H. (Sandra) Rudisill, Sr., of Jeannette, nephews Reid and James, Jr., and nieces Madelynn and Jessica. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth W. Rudisill, Sr. and Madeline L. Rudisill (née Carson), whom he loved and dutifully served all their lives.
Kenneth was a tremendously kind, thoughtful, interesting, loyal man of integrity in all his stations in life: as a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a worker, a coworker, and a friend. His warmth and patience, his even-temperedness and light-hearted humor, ultimately forgave any flaws he may have had. A steady, rare item, he was rarer still to know in life, having kept his words few and his circle small, conserving energy for what and who he alone deemed worthy. Throughout his life he attended Glade Run Church in Cooperstown, where he was a 50-year member, as well as a third-generation member of McKinley-Stuckrath Lodge #318 of Free and Accepted Masons.
A native to Western Pennsylvania, Kenneth was born November 14, 1954, to homemaker Madeline and Mellon Bank officer Kenneth, Sr. of Valencia. He graduated Mars Area Senior High School in 1973 then went on to serve in the United States Air Force in Texas, being discharged honorably. Between 1975 and 2002, he worked at Reed Smith Shaw & McClay in Pittsburgh, first as a messenger then later as a messenger dispatcher, finally becoming supervisor of the law firm’s mailroom, creating many lasting friendships along the way. It was at Reed Smith where he met Debra, a legal secretary, in 1979, before marrying in January 1980.
In 2004, Kenneth joined the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement as Butler County’s dog warden, a position he held for a decade, helping animals all throughout Butler and neighboring counties through the enforcement of the dog laws of the Commonwealth. He assisted his wife and family in adopting and caring for a dozen shelter dogs, mostly hounds, that lived out their lives with the family over a period of twenty years while at the same time contributing to the care of his granddaughter, Sara. Upon retiring from Dog Law due to health reasons, he continued to give. In 2016, he was essential to his eldest son, Kenneth, III, in fulfilling his dream of a start-up small business—Pop Culture Comics—being a friendly face to customers and a helping hand at the standby on Mt. Royal Boulevard in Shaler Township until 2021, when his health sidelined him again.
Kenneth’s hobbies included an enthusiasm for muscle and luxury cars, having owned and traded over 60 cars in his lifetime. He was an avid viewer of science fiction and horror films, and especially classic television shows he grew up with, such as Perry Mason, Star Trek, Combat!, The Outer Limits, Mannix and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. His living spaces, much to the ire of his wife, were always cluttered with countless toy soldiers, cars, tanks, ships, and trinkets that piqued his interest. He took immense pleasure in American, Italian, and German cuisines, and all a bakery’s confections. This and much more he passed onto his children.
Kenneth lived a heartfelt and meaningful life. He will be sorely missed, and his loving memory will endure and be cherished through his family for the rest of their days. All services were held privately through the SPENCER D. GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 140 NEW CASTLE RD. BUTLER, PA 16001. WWW.SPENCERDGEIBEL.COM.