William Ames Ruth ’64

William Ames Ruth ’64, dedicated father of three daughters, Mary Beth Christine Ruth ’91, 1755 York Ave. Apt. 5K, New York, N.Y. 10128-6865; Natasha McKerran Ruth ’94; and Amy Ruth McGrath, and grandfather of Hunter McGrath, died Dec. 16. He was born in Irvington, N.J., and grew up in Jacksonville, Fla. He attended Davidson College and law school at the University of Florida, and then moved to Hilton Head Island in 1972 after receiving his L.L.M. in taxation from New York University Law School. He was a partner in the Beaufort and Hilton Island law firm of Dowling, Sanders, & Dukes until 1985, when he founded the law firm now known as Ruth & MacNeille, P.A. on Hilton Head Island, where he practiced law until his death. He was a dedicated professional and was proud to call himself an attorney. Throughout his career he became involved with many affiliations and memberships including South Carolina Bar chairman, section on tax; South Carolina Bar chairman, section on estate planning, probate, and trust; member of the South Carolina House of Delegates; The Florida Bar member tax section; The District of Columbia Bar; National Association of State Bar Tax Sections; South Carolina Bar Foundation; fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel; American College of Tax Counsel; and certified specialist, Tax Law, Estate Planning, Probate Law, and Trust Law. He shall be remembered for his strong love for his children, his wife, Kathleen, who died in 1996 from a long battle with scleroderma, and his new grandson, Hunter. He was a strong individual and his dedication to serving his community and his country was unmatched as evidenced by his service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy and his volunteerism. Not only shall he be remembered for his achievements, but his family and friends shall remember him for his dry wit, his sophisticated intellect, and his genuine compassion for all those around him.