Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Bellefontaine for William Rufus Marter, 94, of Bellefontaine, who died on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Eupora. Burial followed in Philadelphia Cemetery in Webster County. The Rev. Josh Bingham and the Rev. Hugh Bland officiated.
Rufus was born on July 4, 1930, in Webster County, the son of the late Joseph Andrew Marter and the late Willie Mae Clanton Marter. He worked for a short while in a factory, but decided farming was his true calling and farmed until the age of 50. He was well known for his huge gardens. As a matter of fact, one of his favorite things to do was give away his vegetables. Another enterprise he enjoyed was farm equipment sales. Rufus loved going to equipment auctions and maintained a tractor lot by his home in Bellefontaine, Marter Equipment, for years buying and selling equipment until COVID-19 closed it down.
Rufus was a devoted caregiver to his wife, Catherine “Cat,” for many years until her death in 2005. In the fall of 2006, Rufus married Faye Pritchett Perkins. They had been married almost 18 years. Rufus was an avid hunter and loved spending time with his big yellow cat, A.J., and eating at Mitchell’s Central Service Grill in Eupora.
In addition to his parents and first wife, one daughter, Rachel McBride; one grandson, Ben Rook, and three sisters, Ruby Helen (Kitty) Marter Beck, Mattie Mae Marter Middleton and Earlene Marter, preceded Rufus in death.
Survivors include, his wife, Faye Perkins Marter of Bellefontaine; four daughters, Linda (Gary) Rook of Mathews, La., Anne (Woody) McGee of Eupora, Sherri (Barry) Reedy of Bellefontaine and Tammy Ellis of Mathiston; one sister, Patti (Jerry) Toney of Grenada; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.ofheupora.com
Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora was in charge of arrangements.
