William Irvin (Dick) Rush

William Irvin Rush, better known as Dick, made his final journey home on April 2, 2016, at age 80. He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Arlene Hale Rush, his parents, William Earl Rush and Pauline Collins Rush, and two brothers, Jimmy Roger Rush and Richard Ray Rush.

Surviving are his children, Linda Thompson and husband, Richard; Gene Rush and wife, Tina; Esther Dickerson; Allen Guilliams and wife, Penny; brothers Frank Rush and wife, Nellie, Donald Rush, and sister, Doris Jones; sisters-in-law Maureen Powers and Nancy Hale; his beloved grandchildren, Jason, Faith, Matt, Melanie, Kristal, Jill, Clark, and Remington; and special nephew, Dale Rush.

Dick loved God, his wife, family, and his country. He was a proud Marine and lived the mottos, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" and "Semper Fidelis" - always faithful. He was a master mechanic and retired from the Franklin County School Bus Garage after thirty years of service. He loved equipment, especially John Deeres. As a young man, he devoted time keeping the chain saws running for the crews clearing the way for the formation of Smith Mountain Lake in the 1960s. His family and community are going to miss Dick, a selfless, faithful father, friend, and brilliant mechanic.

Funeral services will be conducted at Flora Funeral Chapel, 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016, officiated by Pastors Ray Campbell and Rick Barton with interment following at Oylers Chapel Community Cemetery, Hardy. His family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, S. Main St., Rocky Mount.