Vance E. Rule

V.E. Rule, 91, died peacefully July 10, 2016 at his residence in Bartlesville, OK. Vance Ecton Rule was born June 13, 1925 and grew up on the family farm near Liberty, Missouri. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and completed flight school as World War II was ending. He continued a life-long love of flying and was always eager to “take someone up”. He attended William Jewell College on the G.I. Bill, graduated in 1949, and has been proud to be a benefactor of the college and his fraternity. He was a Kappa Alpha and served as a national officer for years. Following service to JC Penny, Sinclair Oil and West Bend Aluminum, he entered the fastener industry in 1963. He purchased a small nut and bolt supply company and began delivering fasteners to industry from his station wagon. Vance and his late wife Shirley loved traveling and golf and were members of Rolling Hills and Indian Springs Country Clubs. He was an avid fan of University of Tulsa sports, proud to fly coaches and golf teams around the area. Vance was a member of the Quiet Birdmen, and served on the board of the Southwest Fastener Association. He was honored by his college with a citation of achievement for his entrepreneurship. Vance is survived by his second wife Elizabeth Johnson Rule of Bartlesville. They married in 1992, when Vance moved to Bartlesville. Vance and Elizabeth enjoyed twenty four years together, travelled the world, and maintained membership at Hillcrest Country Club. To celebrate Vance’s 90th birthday in 2015, they hosted a Dinner Dance attended by 75 friends, who with Vance and Elizabeth danced the night away. He is survived by his children, Randall Rule and wife Zaydee of Big Sky, MT; Bruce Rule and wife Joyce of Broken Arrow, OK; Richard Rule and wife Amy of Tulsa, OK; Patricia Rule Banks of Richmond, Virginia, fourteen grand-children and five great grand-children, and Elizabeth's children, Janet Johnson-Mertz and husband Tom Mertz of Lincoln, AR; Ann Kerr and husband Tripp of Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and two brothers, first wife Shirley, and son John Rule. A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville, OK on August 6 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers please donate in Vance's memory to: Bless Fund, Inc., 105 SW Penn, Bartlesville, OK 74003 or a charity of your choice. Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.

Vance E. Rule

June 13, 1925 - July 10, 2016