FISHING CREEK - William T. 'Billy' Ruark, Jr. passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wed., Feb. 13, 2013 at the Chesapeake Woods Center, Cambridge. Born Aug. 23, 1931 on Hooper's Island, he was the son of the late William Thomas and Agnes Katherine Phillips Ruark. He attended and graduated from Hoopers Island High School. After his school years, beginning in 1948, Mr. Ruark continued WT Ruark & Co., along with his father, the seafood packing business started by his father. Billy loved his work, he loved his family and he loved his community. He loved hunting and fishing. He always made time to donate back to his beloved Hoopers Island, serving the fire company and church. He was a member of Hosier United Methodist Church, a "founding father" of the Hoopers Island Fire Department in which he held many offices including President, and was a founder of the W.T. Ruark Fishing Tournament that has raised money for the Fire Department for 40 years. He was inducted into Dorchester County Fireman's Association Hall of Fame. He was a past Dorchester County Commissioner, past President of the Grand National Waterfowl Association, a founder of the Bank of The Eastern Shore, member of the Sons of the American Legion Post #91, member of Cambridge Lodge #1272 B.P.O.E. Elks, member of Chesapeake Bay Seafood Association, and a member of the Dorchester County Waterman's Association. Preceding him in death besides his parents are a step-daughter, Debbie Hansen; and a grandchild, Brady Bradford, III. Surviving are his wife, the former Dorothy (Dot) Cheesman whom he married March 18, 1961; sons, William T. (Tommy) Ruark, III and wife Betty of Mardela Springs, and Alan Ruark of Fishing Creek; daughters, Darlene and Sharlene Ruark of Fishing Creek; grandchildren, Krista Beth Wolf and husband Chris, Jonathan Thomas Ruark and wife Erin, and William Bradford; great-grandchildren Hayley Wolf, Ian Wolf and Alyssa Ruark; cousin and best friend, Russell (Sonny) Phillips and wife Judy of Fishing Creek. A funeral service was held on Sat., Feb. 16, 2013 beginning 2 p.m. at Newcomb and Collins Funeral Home, P.A., Cambridge. Rev. Doug Ridley officiated the service. Interment will be held at Dorchester Memorial Park, Cambridge at a later date. Serving as pallbearers were Jonathan Ruark, Chris Wolf, William Bradford, Harold Phillips, Russell Phillips, Sr., Russell Phillips, Jr., Virgil Ruark, Jr., Scott Jones and Mark Flowers. Honorary pallbearers were Seafood Packers, Jay Newcomb, Harry Phillips, Brian Hall, Robin Hall, Clarence Ruark, Terry Vincent, Tommy Collins, Dave Nickerson, Jack Brooks, Bill Brooks and Joe Brooks. Memorial donations in memory of Mr. Ruark can be made to Hoopers Island Fire Dept. c/o Rosemary Dean, P.O. Box 125, Fishing Creek, MD 21634 or Hosier United Methodist Church, c/o Priscilla McGlaughlin, P.O. Box 41, Fishing Creek, MD 21634 To send online condolences to the family please visit www.newcombcollins.com