Read William "Bill" John Berutti's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

William "Bill" John Berutti

Fernandina Beach, FL

1949 - October 3, 2024

1949 - Oct 3, 2024

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With great sadness, but wonderful memories, we announce the passing of William John Berutti on October 3, 2024, surrounded by family.

Bill was born on July 8, 1949 in Normal, Illinois to William and Mary (née Johns) Berutti (both deceased) and lived his formative years in Franklin, Ohio, playing several sports throughout ~ football, basketball, tennis, baseball. Billy (as his family calls him) was quite the athlete, and that never changed throughout his life.

He attended the University of Michigan on a football scholarship and played both quarterback and wingback under the acclaimed Coach Bo Schembechler. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education (although his résumé does say Economics, his diploma says otherwise - ha!). Then, he continued his studies at Ohio State (yes, the biggest rivalry to his alma mater!), earning a Master of Arts.

From there, Bill spent a few years traveling around the United States in his van, Big Red, as well as various parts of the world. Eventually, he moved back to Columbus, OH and met his future wife, Karen (married for 28 years), through mutual friends. Through his marriage to Karen, he had the honor of becoming a stepfather to Marika and Josh. And with the birth of his daughter, Lindsey, he began his career in hospitality through the ownership of his famed Rudi's Deli in Columbus, OH.

Bill’s business acumen (and love of the game of golf) led to an illustrious career in Club Management, which began with a job as the Food and Beverage Manager at Shipyard Golf Resort in Hilton Head, SC. He then decided to move into the private sector and became the General Manager at Savannah Golf Club. After that, most notably, he was the General Manager at Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, NC for more than 10 years. He then moved to Naples, Florida where he worked at Colliers Reserve for many years, followed by a few years at Plantation Club, before retiring as a Club Manager.

In his spare time, he relished a life of boating and fishing and shared that love with his kids and grandsons at each visit. Bill eventually settled near Jacksonville, FL and continued his career as a Club Consultant.

Teresa Belote, who worked with Bill during his tenure at Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, North Carolina and became a lifelong friend, said these kind words in remembrance of Bill: “Berutti was an ideas man with a great head for numbers and people. His skillful leadership abilities, both with members and, especially, with his management teams, led many of these properties to necessary and notable “turn-arounds” when he arrived to tough times. ‘Brother Bill,’ ‘Boss Man Bill’ and ‘Mr. B.’ was also a leader among his peers, serving on the boards of both the Georgia and Carolinas Chapters of Club Managers Assoc of America and active on the National CMAA level as well. Throughout his career, he was a valued resource and reference for Club Managers, F&B personnel and Golf Pros of all ages, always providing candid advice and support no matter the time or situation.”

Bill is survived by his brother Bernard G. Berutti (Linda) and sister Linda Logsdon (Larry); daughter Lindsey Gómez (Alejandro) and grandsons Canái and Ryder; daughter Marika Wendelken; son Josh Wendelken (Natalie); nieces & nephews Bart, Tyler, Alyssa, Aaron, Jailene, Brandi, and Natalie (and their spouses & kids); and innumerous friends whom he kept as family throughout his life.

Bill loved life and was a blessing to all who were privileged to be part of his joie de vivre. He loved his family, friends, golf, food & wine, work, fishing … and a good cigar. We will all miss him dearly, but we thank God for the gift of his life.

Bill would want us to open a fantastic cabernet, light a good cigar, sit outside on the porch, toast him … and share a good story filled with adventure (and maybe a few embellished details ;)).

No service details at this time. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Bill (or Papa Bill as his grandsons called him), he was a member and donated to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida; please go here to make donations in his honor: https://conservancy.org/donate.

You are also welcome to reach out to his daughter Lindsey, if you have any stories or memories that you would like to share about Bill; her email is: berutti@alumni.unc.edu.