Hello everyone, none of you know who I am but my might recognize my face if you saw me. I was one of the photographers at Bills funeral. Today I stumbled across the photos that we took and they inspired me to leave a message here. It has been two years but every time I look back on those photos I become emotional. Partially because I have a deep appreciation for what our military does for our country but mainly because when I look at those photos I can see how well loved Bill was. The number of people that participated on that soggy April day showed that this must have been a wonderful person to have been so loved and the number of memories left on this wall are just affirmation of that fact. You are all very fortunate to have had someone in your lives that you loved this much and he was lucky to have been loved as he was and i am sure still is. My only regret in the entire situation is that I never had the chance to meet this wonderful man.

Bill and I were friends from Howard County General Hospital. We found a common bond in that we both served in the Army, and my husband also served as a Warrant Officer and Russian Linguist. Bill was alway trying to get me to brush up on my Russian language skills, but I was a lost cause! Bill had many friend at Howard County General, and I found out about his passing from one of the nurses on night shift. I send my sincere condolences to his family, as I know how much they meant to him. Rest in peace, Bill.

I was stationed in Bad Kissinger, Germany from July 4, 1971 to january 17, 1973. I remember when Bill arrived at our outfit as an MP and when he was assigned to the same room that I shared with Mike Baker, Paul Charbenaeu and later Dave Robinette. Bill was my partner in the early days that he arrived at BK before I was assigned as a Desk Sergeant. I just came upon Bills information after Jim Rush notified me of Bills passing. He was a great guy and fun to work with. I have an early piucture of Bill as an MP with me when we relived some 3rd Infantry Division Tank Drivers of some Millers Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. I never realized how much Bill loved the military. From reading the information on this tribute site I am honored to say that I had the disticnt privilige of working and knowing Bill. he was a good roomate and friend. If I can figure how to upload the picture of Bill and me I will do so. Bill, I am sure you are at peace. Your Friend , Mitch Yanak, 536th MP COMPANY, 793rd MP BTN, 15th MP BDE, Bad Kissingen , Germany.

lieber Bill. Du warst ein wundervoller Mensch und ich denk gerne an die schöne Zeit zurück in der du in Kronach warst und wir alle viel Spaß miteinander hatten! Es war meine schönste Zeit mit euch allen, Danke!

I was stationed with Bill at BRO Kronach about 20 years ago. Bill was my boss and a good one. We did alot of great work there and had alot of good times. Countless fests where we enjoyed many beers together. It was a small unit, only about 5 or so of us there at a time and all the families got close. I very much remember Natalia and Katja as young girls and how they used to play with my very much younger children. We did not stay in touch over the years and I wish we had. I was shocked to find out Bill had passed. Please accept my belated sympathy at Bill's passing. Troy Dimmig

Dear Rudyk family, my friends, my family Thank you for inviting me and Nusia to participate in the services at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday for Vasyl. It was an honor for me to be there, to participate in honoring all that Vasyl has done for our country, for our security and for our freedom . Stefan, and my comment to you about you being his role model, yes, I certainly believe your father was his role model, but take it from a younger-brother type like me, I have always considered my older brother a role model for me. I can't imagine Vasyl did not have the same feelings toward you. And after reading the posting and seeing the pictures on the website, he had two terrific role models: your father and you. And for the for the record, Pani Rudyk, is one tough woman. She had a lot to do with the way both you and Vasyl and now your vnuky have turned out. I am honored to call her my god-mother. Thank you again. I will never forget that ceremony. Oleh

Bill I Only Knew You As A Co-Worker, But Even As One You were One Hell Of A Person. Always Kept Your Cool And Always Spoke. You Have A Wonderful Family And You've Raised One Hell Of A Daughter (Natalia) and She's Doing A Great Job Raising Her Daughter. Keep Looking Over There Shoulders And Make Sure You Tell GOD To Save A Spot For All Of Them. Until Then May God Bless Your Family. Eugene Johnson Jr.

come to me daddy i’m your newborn daughter i promise to bring you love and laughter come to me daddy i’m learning to talk watch me very closely and soon i will walk come to me daddy i need you now help me tie my shoes i don’t know how come to me daddy do you like what i drew i worked on it a long time made it especially for you come to me daddy please kiss my boo-boo i fell of the see-saw ahhhh… much better, thank you come to me daddy please a piggy-back ride or we could go to the park and go down the slide come to me daddy could you please help me my school project is due soon we’ll finish it 1-2-3 come to me daddy i wanna dance with you out in the rain maybe a samba or two come to me daddy look what i won all these medals and awards dance is so much fun come to me daddy i have some big news i’ve fallen in love he’s the man that i chose come to me daddy i have great news today the pitter patter of little feet are headed my way come to me daddy how do i go on down here without you why have you gone come to me daddy in my dreams late at night please comfort and guide me be my shinning light come to me daddy i hope that you know i am proud to be your daughter i’ll always love you so

Wasyl and I grew up together on the lower east side of Manhattan We were very close friends from pre kindergarden thru high school. Together, we attended St George School on 6th Street and were members of Plast - Ukrainian Boy Scouts. Our parents were close friends and we used to be over each other's homes on weekends - getting into trouble at times. I still remember watching the Ed Sullivan show and Bonanza together with Wasyl. The Rudyks lived on 3rd street and we lived on 9th street - not far apart. After high school - life took us our separate ways - with Wasyl always being far away serving his country. Wasyl, my dear friend your life was too short - till we meet again. My deepest sympathies to Wasyl's wife, his daughters -Katja and Natalia, Stefan and his family and Pani Rudyk Vichnaya Pamyat Stefan Kowaliw

It's so hard to say good by so we'll just say until we see you again Bill. We know you are in a better place now that your creator has called you. I know this doesn't make it any easier because you will be greatly missed by your loving family and by all of us friends who had the privilege to know you. Thanks for the fun memories: the hose from our house to yours when the well dried :-), how cool you took things - an example to follow. Thanks for almost sending me to the creator when I came home and you came out of the dark walking your loving companion Shorty (you nearly killed me  and then we had a great laugh as I told you I was getting ready to get my maze). Not a dull moment being your next door neighbor. Most of all, thanks for your great compassion when we had a death in our family. I hope from up above you know how much your hug and your words meant to me. I am forever indebted to your family and pray and hope that the Lord can utilize me to bring them comfort! May you RIP Bill! Love, Joseline

Vasyl's mother is my godmother and I have great memories of her and the whole Rudyk family growing up. I found out about this very sad news two days ago from our mutual friends, Steve Kowaliw and Lesyk Balaban. I last saw Vasyl at his niece's wedding several years ago and we had a great time catching up on what he could tell me and our childhood adventures. My deepest sympathy to Vasyl's wife and daughters and especially to his brother, Stefan, his wife Olia and family and most to my godmother, Pani Rudyk. She has been through a lot in her life. May God Give you the strength... With deepest sympathy, Oleh Denysyk Dr. Oleh Denysyk

As among the AAFES family, we share deepest sympathies with his family. We will miss you, but will always know he will be watching over all that he knew. Glad to had the opportunity to have met Bill in Georgia, and shared his life about his family and his life. God Bless You, Bill. Pat Robertin, Fayetteville, NC

There are no words to describe how deeply sorry I am for everyone's lost. Now he is in heaven where he is watching over everyone he cares and loves. We will remember the good memories we had with him. Smile, knowing he is at peace and walking next to god. I will always remember the kindness he has always given me. He truely will be missed.

My love goes out to all that knew Mr. Rudyk. I know it seems to be a hard time but please know that he is in a much better place.. He is sitting in heaven with the One who can truly take care of him the best, probably looking down on all of you helping you make it thru you're days. Know that he is always with you and that he loves you very much.

As i sit here, I still cant believe your not next to me. I would give anything to have you for just one more day........give you a great big hug and just to tell you how thankful I am for giving me life, always being by my side, always pushing me to do the best I can, putting up with my stubborness and heard headedness, supporting me thu all of my hobbies, tell you that you are my HERO and ALWAYS reminding me that I was Daddy's little girl. I miss you more than anything. I promise to take care of mom and keep all of our great times and memories alive as a reminder of the wonderful life you have given us. Aryanna and I have been looking for you in the sky every night........That one bright star has been shining on the house every night since the say you left us.......I know ist you letting us know your ok.......your watching over us. I miss you so much and love you so much daddy!!! Love always, Daddy's little girl

Mama and I miss you more today than yesterday. You were our hero / soldier. I may have been in 'Nam, but you were my hero of that era. I'll never forget how you decorated the house when I returned home. It wasn't popular in 1967 to be a returning soldier, or to support one. But you dear brother greeted me with a house decorated in red, white and blue stars and lights. I assume by now you've been greeted as a hero by our father who has been "up there" for the past five months. Take good care of each other.

To The Rudyk Family! Please accept our deepest sympathy in the most difficult time in your life.God is with you. Lida, Adrian, Denys and Nadiya Dlaboha.

Wasyl will live on in millions of hearts because he touched every one of his family members with his kindness and every American with his bravery. We will miss him deeply. Tsiom, tuli Olia

The Basilian Fathers at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church in Astoria-NY and all parishioners are united with the Rudyk during this moment of of grief. Our prayers and deepest sympathies. Fr. Januario Lucavei, OSBM - Pastor