FUNSTON – The late Bobby Ruis was committed to his community, serving Funston for more than 30 years as a city councilman and as the water superintendent.
He passed away on Monday, July 22, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Born Oct. 17, 1933, in Colquitt County, he was the son of the late Emmett Ruis and Wilma Wilkes Ruis and stepson of the late Virginia Henry Ruis. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a master mechanic, who people would still call on after he retired to fix their vehicles.
He moved to the City of Funston in the mid-1980s and later ran for the city council
“I was living in the community when the [council position] opened and felt tasked to serve,” he said in an interview last year in a story about his retirement.
Also from the same story, his brother Ferrell Ruis, who is also the mayor of Funston said, “He joined as the water superintendent from around 1996 until last December. Bobby has done a great, fabulous job.”
Ruis said that his brother was a well-known resident of Funston and, as the city’s water superintendent, he primarily managed the wells and the daily water treatment system, but his roles continued beyond there.
Funston City Clerk Liz Chapman said she had worked with him for nine years and he was the only one who really knew the water system.
“We won’t ever find anybody as knowledgeable as him about the water system,” she said.
She said that Ruis looked forward to work every day and only resigned from the job when he did to take care of his wife.
“He was the most dependable person I’ve ever known,” Chapman said.
Ferrell Ruis said his brother often volunteered his time mowing the grass along the city limits and state highways, took care of garbage can requests, completed reconnection services, 811 location requests, and other miscellaneous jobs.
Family said of him that, “He was a very humble and godly man who put others before himself.”
Last year, the City of Funston honored him with a surprise retirement dinner where he was presented with a plaque and a check as gratitude for his work and impact on the community.
At the time, Bobby Ruis credited the city’s progress to his brother Ferrell and other city employees who have had an active part in the city’s success.
His family also said of him that he “never sought attention for anything he did and wanted any glory to go to his Lord for giving him the opportunity to serve.”
Along with city councilman and water superintendent, Ruis served as a volunteer fireman, PTA president, Broxton Campground Committee chairman, and deacon of Riverside Holiness Church.