2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 207
Celebrating the life of William Bruce Rutherford, USN, Ret.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, William Bruce Rutherford, USN, Ret., an honorable veteran, accomplished farmer, and beloved member of the Nelson County community, died on July 21, 2025; and
WHEREAS, a native of Cape May, New Jersey, Bruce Rutherford joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and three years later transitioned to the United States Navy, with which he would serve an additional 17 years; and
WHEREAS, over his naval career, Bruce Rutherford served on five different submarines, including the USS Bergall , USS Spikefish , USS John Marshall , USS Henry L. Stimson , and USS Seawolf , one of the Navy's first nuclear submarines; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Rutherford demonstrated a gift for animal husbandry during his years in the service, caring for the Marine Corps' bulldog mascot while stationed at Quantico and earning the distinction of being the first person to hatch a chicken aboard a U.S. Naval submarine; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Rutherford and his family acquired land in Nelson County in 1962 and developed the property into the “The Wonder If Farm,” which was a fully functioning pig farm by the late 1970s; and
WHEREAS, after selling the farm and retiring, Bruce Rutherford remained active by building houses, running a family barbecue stand, and growing exceptional lima beans and tomatoes in his garden, which he gifted generously to friends and neighbors; and