William Rudolph Rankin

Rudolph Rankin, 98, of Miami and Canadian, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Canadian, surrounded by his family.

Viewing will be 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM Monday, December 8, 2025, and Tuesday, 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Graveside services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Miami Cemetery with Bo Rankin and Charlie Rankin, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

William Rudolph Rankin was born January 15, 1927, in Wellington to Arthur Glenn and Eunice Elizabeth Webb Rankin. The Rankin’s were a hardworking family, and he didn’t break the mold. Rudolph met his first wife Fern while stranded in a snowstorm. They married on September 18, 1948, and were blessed with 55 years together. She preceded him in death on August 12, 2003. Rudolph worked for O.G. Hill on Indian Creek in Roberts County for 22 years. He was a member of the Christian Church of God in Amarillo and preached on occasion. Rudolph was good with livestock; he broke horses for a saddle and to pull a wagon. He enjoyed hunting coyotes with dogs, playing the fiddle and roping calves. Rudolph was skeptical of the Screwworm Eradication Program, he said, “I loved to rope but I sure did get tired of roping and doctoring screwworm calves.” Rudolph started Rankin Water Well Service and ran it until the late 80’s. He baled “a lot of” hay along the Canadian River and through out the area. Rudolph loved learning and taught himself Algebra when his kids were in high school, he was also self-taught and fluent in Spanish. Rudolph married Lynda Cloyd on May 12, 2007, they enjoyed almost 18 years together. He was a realistic, logical and practical man that loved and maintained strong ties with his family.

Rudolph was preceded in death by his first wife, Fern Talley Rankin; a daughter, Janet Voss; a son, Ted Rankin, 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

The family left to cherish Rudolph’s memory are his wife, Lynda Cloyd Rankin of Canadian; a son, Newell Rankin and wife Toni of Miami; six grandchildren, Robin King and husband Ken, Candace Sellers, Ryan Rankin and wife Janet, Brandon Voss and wife Sonia, Daniel Rankin and Tyler Rankin and wife Meagan; eleven great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Nina Smith and Lola Reed; and Lynda's children, Richard Cloyd and wife Melissa, Susan Day and husband Rick, Jay Cloyd and wife Tiffany, and her nine grandchildren felt very blessed to have had Rudolph in their lives the last 18 years.

Memorials may be made to Mesa View Sr. Living, 106 Teas Circle, Canadian, TX 79014 and Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th St., Canadian, TX 79014