Mr. Willie James Rucker, Jr., age 65, of Lavonia, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, Georgia.

Born on July 28, 1961, in Elberton, Georgia, Willie was the son of the late Willie Rucker and Mary Johnson Rucker. He worked for many years as a laborer in the textile industry and was of the Baptist faith.

Willie was a man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and especially enjoyed fishing and flying kites. Time spent with his family and those closest to him brought him great joy, and he leaves behind many cherished memories for them to hold dear.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Rucker; daughters, Miranda McIntosh and Kanisha Rucker; brothers, Daryl Rucker and his wife, Kim, and Roy Rucker; one grand daughter Heiress Rucker; niece, Noelle Rucker; nephew, Richie Rucker, Jr. and his wife Caquay; He also leaves behind his sister in law Janice Ellison, Aunts Sarah Holland (James), Elizabeth Harper, and Clara Montgomery (William), as well as  a host of great nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Rucker will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Maple Spring Baptist Church, 2902 Maple Spring Road, Dewy Rose, Ga., with Pastor Ronald Gantt officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Mr. Rucker will be laid to rest in the Maple Spring Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Rucker will lie in state at Coile and Hall Funeral Directors on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for those wishing to pay their respects.

Flowers are accepted. The family is at the home of Miranda McIntosh and Kanisha Rucker, 65 Faye Kight Circle Hartwell, GA 30643.

The family has entrusted Coile and Hall Funeral Directors, 333 E. Johnson Street, Hartwell, Georgia, with the arrangements for Mr. Willie James Rucker, Jr.