William Patrick Rutherford of Nashville passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville. He was born on February 14, 1970 in Texas and was 54 years old.
Patrick was an artist with a keen eye for nature, friendship, and purpose. In his early years, he drew amazing pictures across a range of subjects that astounded his parents, one especially being the gigantic dinosaur skeleton in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – which he first saw in a magazine and then later in person, standing before it with wide eyes and absolute amazement. As an artist, his craft was imagination and seeing the details most overlooked; but not Patrick.
As an adult, that detail and artistry turned to cooking, and specifically baking. At 19, his father Bill, with great trepidation, left him on a curb in New York City to study at the prestigious Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School. Cooking was a natural fit for Patrick because he and brother Ted had been cooking since they were young children.
Over his three years at culinary school, Patrick found his calling in the kitchen. Thus began his life’s work. He studied French cuisine but, while among the ovens of Tom Cat Bakery in New York, Patrick’s passion for bread and pastries emerged and his artistry and eye for detail allow him to soar. Patrick poured himself into his work. After New York he worked as a chef at Peabody Hotel in Memphis and then at renowned Nashville establishments like Bread & Company, Bound’ry, Mad Platter, and most recently Red Phone Booth. Whether it was pencil and paper, bread dough, or a dish of sea scallops and asparagus with an orange beurre blanc, Patrick left an indelible mark everywhere he went.
In his younger years, Patrick loved nature and everything about it. Although he was mischievous – very mischievous, one would probably say – he found peace in exploring nature and everything about the outdoors. He loved climbing and doing dangerous things that scared his family and concerned his friends. And as for friends, Patrick was never found wanting. He offered camaraderie, deep care, and he selflessly shared his own experiences and wisdom to lift others out of dark places in their own lives. His family agrees that, if Patrick’s special friends were to be listed by name, no justice could be done for fear of leaving many out.
Like Bill and Beth, Patrick loved history and he was always looking forward to his next traveling adventure, which would likely include a museum.
Patrick graduated from Giles County High School in 1988. Before Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School, he studied at Martin Methodist College.
Patrick is survived by his loving parents William “Bill” and Beth Rutherford of Pulaski and brother Ted Rutherford of San Antonio, Texas. He will continue to be missed by his two nephews, Cameron and Jacob Rutherford of Texas, uncle Jim (Jennifer) Blackburn and aunt Georgann Blackburn, of Pulaski, cousins Knox (Stacey) Blackburn of Franklin and Meredith (Clay) Avent of Pulaski, great uncle Donald Rutherford of Topeka, Kansas and aunt Jeanette (Wesley) Hobbs and cousins Matt Rutherford (Amy) and Leann Rutherford, of San Angelo, Texas. Also surviving are natural half-siblings Carlee McEwin Wadley of Fort Worth, Texas and Michael Walters of Amarillo, Texas, natural aunts Rocelia Garlick of Menard, Texas and Susan McEwin of Dallas, Texas, and step mother Betty Walters of Amarillo, Texas.
Patrick was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Blackburn III and paternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rutherford, uncle David Rutherford, and natural parents Forrest Walters and Catherine McEwin.
Patrick’s family will receive friends and loved ones on Saturday, February 8th in the Margaret Butler Library of First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A 2:30 p.m. graveside service to follow at Maplewood Cemetery, conducted by Reverend Dr. Amy Stoker of First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski.
The family suggests memorial donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski, P. O. Box 174, 202 S. Second Street, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478 or to the Giles County Public Library, 122 S. Second Street, Pulaski, Tennessee 38478.
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements for William Patrick Rutherford.
