William Ryder Hudson

Sgt. William Ryder Henry Hudson, United States Army veteran and proud member of the Choctaw Nation was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on October 3rd, 1997. He was called home to be with his Savior and his dad on May 18th, 2024, at his home in Lawton, Oklahoma, at the age of 26. Ryder fought his way into this world to the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd, welcomed by proud parents, Gene, and Lorri Hudson. The Hudson family made their home and grew their roots in Columbia, Mississippi. Ryder and his family became a part of the North Columbia Baptist Church when he was young. There, the family grew strong in the faith and fellowship God provided them through His Word, and those who lovingly, and willingly shared it. Ryder was an active member of the RA’s (Royal Ambassadors) boys group where his dad became a valuable and cherished leader. Baby Ryder-Dyder grew stronger, taller, smarter, more handsome, and more onery with each passing day. As a youngster, Ryder stayed busy with church, excelled at school, baseball, and football, crashing go-carts (which resulted in the last count of 3 broken noses before the age of 10), riding his horse Lakota, backyard campouts, terrorizing everyone in his path on his Heeley’s, collecting Beyblades, baseball and football cards, protecting the world with his handmade Harry Potter wands, and fighting for the galaxy with his Jedi skills. All this with his inseparable group of close-knit friends, Heath, Trey, Payton, and John. Ryder loved to read, and his favorite stories were about the military. His love for all things military was always a part of who he was. In kindergarten he was asked in school “what he wanted to be when he grew up” his reply was always “a soldier”, and that decision never wavered. In 2009, when Ryder was 11 the family moved to Lorri and Gene’s home state of Oklahoma. The proud Columbia Wildcat became a proud Henryetta Knight. As in Columbia, he became an active member of the wonderful youth program at Dewar Baptist Church. He started playing baseball and football and bonded with a group of friends that would remain friends throughout his lifetime. As a young man, his affair with anything that would go fast developed, his love of Harry Potter, Star Wars, football, baseball, music, and gaming grew immensely. Ryder’s commitment to becoming a soldier remained. High School life started by being exactly like what high school years should be, fun and carefree. Fast cars, football, baseball, gaming, proms, bonfires, loud music, and great friends were priorities in his life. Life would change in 2015 when his best friend, his dad, was diagnosed with cancer. Gene started his battle as Ryder began his senior year. Both Hudson men worked hard and showed true courage and determination as they each battled through their respective challenges life dealt during this year. After graduation in 2016, he worked full-time at Anchor Glass in Henryetta. Ryder’s commitment to becoming a soldier remained steadfast but on hold to be home if his dad needed him. Gene’s battle with cancer ended on April 18, 2017. Ryder’s confidant, best friend, hunting partner, mentor, and partner in crime, had one more journey he had to take, one that Ryder and Lorri had to let him take without them, to his new home in Heaven. In May 2018, Ryder enlisted in the United States Army. As an Infantryman, Ryder was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia where he would start the first leg of his military journey. He was assigned to Fort Drum, 10th Mountain Division, the 1st Battalion 89th Calvary Regiment (Crazy Horse). Next came the 3rd Platoon, Chaos Company, 2-22 Infantry Battalion, Triple Deuce deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom summer the of 2020. SGT. Hudson relocated to Fort Hood, Texas, in June 2021 assigned to Charlie Co. 3-8CAV, 1-89, and with 3-8 he was part of Operation Allies refuge at Camp Atterbury. On September 25th of that year, his beautiful, blue-eyed baby girl, Calliope Gene Hudson, made her appearance. Ryder finished his military service in 2022. He started Cameron University for Information Technology in Lawton in May of 2023. Ryder passed away at his home on May 18, 2024. He is preceded in death by his father Gene, Grandparents Harold and Billie Henry and Loyd and Barbara Hudson. Also and Aunt Teri Crawford and and Uncle Racio Gonzalez. Survived by his mother: Lorri Hudson of the home Daughter: Calliope Gene Hudson of Henryetta Siblings: Keifer Williams and wife Katelyn of Afton; Kelsey Williams of Weleetka; Kandis McDonald and husband Pierre of Idabel; Cody Erickson of Little Ax; Micah Hudson of Idabel Aunts: Cheri Vaughn, Merri Williams, Kari Hulett, Sallie Medena, Annette Turner and Nina Hudson Uncle’s: Greg Hudson, Valentin Gonzalez, Dusty Chancey, Chris Williams and Leo Medina Great Aunts: Jimmye Acosta of Jenks , Dixie Henry of Broken Arrow and Marie Henry of Schulter. A large extended family, His family in Mississippi and a large host of friends near and far and also by his brothers and sisters in arms of the United States Army. Family will be receiving friends at the Rogers Funeral Home on Friday, May 31st from 3:00 to 7:00 pm A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Dewar First Baptist Church with Military Honors by the US Army Honor Guard.

William Ryder Hudson

October 3, 1997 - May 18, 2024