1850 — On the 1850 census he is living with Melinda Medley, which is listed one family up on the census from his father. He is 16 years of age. Melinda is Melinda Settle, wife of Ambrose. They are the parents of Harriet Medley, soon to be wife of John Gradison Rucker who is listed in the same household.

1858 — In 1858 he was unmarried and lived near Metz, Henry Co., MO.337 He was mentioned in his father's will (Ephraim Rucker).

1860 — Deepwater Twp, Henry Co MO, PO Clinton, Jul 24 1860 - Pg15 D745:F74534
RUCKER, Willie T. - 24 wm (1836) farmer - $1440-$290 - Kentucky
RUCKER, Mary C. - 20 wf (1840) - Kentucky
RUCKER, Willie A. - 3/12 w f (1860) - Missouri
WATTS, William - 22 wm (1838) - Kentucky

1862, October 27 - Germantown, Henry County, Missouri
Willis enrolled with the E. M. M. M. Co. 4 on the 27th of October in 1862 at Germantown and was ordered into service that same day in Clinton. He was transferred on March 21st in 1863 to Ball's Company A.

1870, August 2nd — District 7, Bacon Township, Vernon County, Missouri962
RUCHER, W. 35 carpenter KY [note how surname is indexed in Ancestry.com]
RUCHER, Mattie 24 Keeping House MO
RUCHER, Willie 10 MO
RUCHER, Hiter 9 MO
RUCHER, Emma 2 MO
RUCHER, Frederic 1 MO
BRIM, Samuel 26 farm hand KY

1880 - Martha Rucker is found as head of the household in Vernon County, MO.952
Martha 39 b MO TN TN
Emma - dau 12 MO KY MO
Irvin - son 10 MO KY MO
Rosy - dau 8 MO KY MO
Jerusha - dau 7 MO KY MO
Everett L. 7 MO KY MO

1900 - Metz, Vernon County, Missouri - Jerusha Rucker is listed as the head of the household.963
Jerusha - Head February 1873 23 yrs old
Emma E. - Sister April 1868 32 yrs old
Rose J. - Sister Jan 1871 28 yrs old
Evert L. - Brother Oct 1874 25 yrs old
Nettie - Wife Jan 1876 24 yrs old
Louivan - Son July 1898 1 yr old