William Robert “Bill” Ritchie, age 69, of 5752 Oak Park S. 17.5 Drive, Wells, passed away Thursday afternoon January 21, 2010 at his residence with his loving wife by his side following a courageous battle with health issues.
William was born December 8, 1940 in Warren, MI the son of William and Ann (Sawasky) Ritchie. He was raised in Warren, MI and Cleveland, OH and was a graduate of the Cleveland High School. Following graduation, Bill worked in the Steel Mills before returning to Warren where he became a firefighter. Bill retired in 1993 from the Warren Fire Department, as a Lieutenant, following 25 years of service. He then relocated to the Powers area where he enjoyed his retirement years hunting, fishing and making his wood sculptures. He loved spending time at his camp, “Fort Ritchie”, where he often took his son, grandson and firefighter buddies, to enjoy the outdoors. Bill was an excellent Checker player, rarely losing a game. He will be remembered as being a great listener and a very loveable man. In addition, Bill enjoyed plowing out his neighbors on snowy days with his tractor. He will be sadly missed.
Survivors include his wife, the former Donna Rockman who he married on July 28, 2006,
Son: William Robert (Felicia) Ritchie of Holly, MI
Step-sons: Adam Rockman of Green Bay, WI and Aaron (LaSean) Rockman of Columbia, S.C.
4 grandsons: William, Robert, Nicklas and Andrew Ritchie of Holly, MI
Sister: Elizabeth “Bobbi” (Carl) Fisher of Cleveland, OH
Mother-in-law: Verna Sigfred and Grandma Lou Rockman
Many nieces, nephews and good friends
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Jean on June 25, 2004.
Bill
Anonymous
This brother was a very kind and likeable guy whom I had the pleasure to work with on the W.F.D. He will be missing and never forgotten. I’m truly sorry for your loss !
Raymond Wahl retired Cap’t/Medic W.F.D.
Columbus Twp, MI
Donna,
I am so very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you as always. Bill was very a lucky man to be married to such a wonderfull woman and I know you were so lucky so have a such a wonderfull husband. God Bless you.
Sally Rager
New Port Richey, FL
When you were in Penneys today I thought I over hurd you saying your husbond died. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I believe he is home now in Gods loving arms. Take care
Cathy King Stone
Rapid River, MI
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, father & grandfather. We hope the wonderful memories you have of him will give you some peace and comfort in the days to come. God Bless you all! Love, Reid, Lori, Victor & Alex Erickson
Lori Erickson
Ann Arbor, MI
To Bill and Family…My deepest condolences. I had the honor of knowing your Father for the years at WFD. May he rest in peace.
Pete Solitro
Warren, MI
My deepest sympathies to the Ritchie family. Bill truly was THE nicest guy. I only had 8 yrs on the job when he retired, but I remember him working in apparatus division…..very patient with us “new” guys. I’d only seen him once since he retired, but will always remember him for who he was.
Hank Criscuolo, Chief of EMS, WFD
Warren, MI
Bill was my “rookie” in the fire service! I took him under my wing and even taught him how to hang “Screen Doors” He was a fast learner and a great guy. We had a lot of fun on the job together and I missed him since I retired back in “84”- Sorry to hear about Jeannie and now Bill. May he be in a much better place and I hope to be with him soon! God bless my brother Firefighter and friend–
Ron Herr, Firefighter, Captain, retired!
Warren, MI
My sincerest prayers for Bill, and condolences for his family. I worked with Bill for close to 25 years and I respected Bill, and always enjoyed working with him. Bill had that rare humor and wit that kept you on your best game. Rest in peace, Bill.
Walt Plajstek (Capt.WFD,ret.)
Clarkston, MI
Sorry to hear of your loss. Bill was a great person to be around and to have conversation with. I worked with Bill for many years at the Warren FD. Enjoyed watching him make his fishing lures and hearing about all those TALL fishing tales! Too young to pass on ,I will remember him and your family in prayer………..
Al Kane
Shelby Twp., MI
I have many fond memories of the years I worked with bill on the Warren fire dept. He was one of the nicest people on the dept. And also a great firefighter and officer. He will be missed by all of us.
William Karpinski
Warren, MI
To the Ritchie Family:
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I hadn’t seen him much since he retired and moved up North, but I have many fond memories of Bill. God Bless.
Larry Sommers
Clinton Township, MI
To the Ritchie family,
I’ve known Bill since we attended Lincoln Junior High School and played football and basketball together. He moved to Cleveland in 1957 and we lost touch with each other. He showed up again in 1967 as a rookie on the Warren Fire Department. We worked together, off and on, for the next 25 years. He retired and moved away to his beloved U.P. He was a great guy and I now wish we had kept in touch more over the last 18 years. My sincere condolences to his family, especially his son Billy. G. D. Garwood, Capt., Retired WFD
Glen (Dave) Garwood
Pigeon, MI
Bill JR. and family- We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Dan, Pam, Noah, and Gabby Brown
Please keep in touch.
Dan and Pam Brown
Warren, MI
We deeply regret not being able to attend Bill’s memorial and pay our respect to a great guy and wonderful brother-in-law. We will always remember the times we spent together joking and enjoying his company. We accepted Bill into our family from day one. He was the kind of guy who made you feel like you had known him for years. He will be greatly missed.
Nick & Sally Sandoval
West Bend, WI
Donna:
I am so sorry to read about the loss of your husband. I couldn’t believe when I read the paper on line today. I knew you told me he was sick. May God give you strength to carry on. I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you.
Jeanne Gilbert
Valparaiso, IN
Bill was a very dear friend and a big tease and will be missed very much. He will always be remembered and I will always cherish my turtle.
Mary Ann Pepin
Gladstone, MI
Our thoughts and prayers to the family of Bill Ritchie. A life well lived serving others. Always a smile and a chuckle to share. May he rest in peace.
Chris Hartman and Family
Warren, MI
Bill, we’ll miss you.
From the Warren Firefighters Local 1383
Leo Francis
Chesterfield , MI
Donna,and Family and to Bill Ritchie’s family and friends, Carol and I want to extend our heartfelt sympthy in the loss of “Bill”.
Richard & Carol Aker
Las Vegas, NV
We met Bill thru his son, William 5yrs ago. Felicia was working with Bill at Universal. We were at Bill’s house and Grandpa Bill came to visit for the first time. Bill, Felicia and the Boys introduced us to him for the very first time. He had the most prettiest blue eyes and welcomed us with his wonderful smile. We all sat and talked about his wood working skills. He gave us some wood hummingbirds, little fat froges, fish and pins for our coats. We put all the wood carvings on our Christmas tree. We will always have Bill with us in our hearts forever. He has a wonderful talent in wood carving. I know he will make a wood carving angle for God to have at his side. One summer day, all of us went down to the lake. It was time to go back to the house. Bill was walking down the stairs and turned his ankle. He broke it. We all felt very bad. He did not want us to worry about him. He said it was OK. But that was Bill for you. We will always remember him. He had a kind heart and a funny personality. We Love you Bill and God Bless You.
Joe & Jean Formosa
Brighton, MI
I’m a retired Warren Firefighter. I worked with Bill on a few occasions (we were on different shifts) and always appreciated the gentle and peaceful manor in the way he carried himself. He listened to you when you spoke with him, making you feel like you were important. Can’t say that about many people. A real kind man.
Doug DeSantis
Oxford, MI
Rest in peace, Bill. Your friends and family are all in our hearts and prayers. I’m sure I speak for the rest of “the family” at the Warren Fire Department.
Curt Behnke
Warren, MI
I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies for your loss. I was a firefighter in the city of Warren and retired in 2006. I had the pleasure of working with Bill from time to time and thought of him as a very kind man who loved the outdoors and was a good cook. I especially loved his biscuits and gravy. It is sad to hear that he has passed away at a young age. He will be missed.
I will remember him and your family in my prayers.
Kraig Selleke
Shelby Township, MI
I will miss my grandpa with all the times we spent together. The most times we spent together and having fun was when we were fishing or sitting in the deer blind. I will miss him a lot but he got to see me grow up to be who I am and some of the stuff I have done to make him proud. The most fun is when I shot my first deer with him I think that was my favorite memory with him. I will miss you grandpa I love you.
Billy
Holly, MI
We send our condolences to you Bill, as you have to say “see you later” (never say good-bye) to your dad. We all know how proud you’ve made him. What a tribute to his memory, for you to carry on being the wonderful person that you are. I know that he will continue to smile down on you for many years to come. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with each one of your during this difficult time. Please, send our love and sympathy to Donna…what an amazing lady she is!!
Jay, Kim, Ashley, Jenna & Kyle Owens
Sterling Heights, MI
I love all the times I spent with my grandpa. One of the memories that I remember the most was when I was talking with him about my footall season. I love u grandpa and ill miss you forever. (the youngest grandson and he got away with everything Hahaha).
Andrew Ritchie
Holly, MI
Being a grandson to a man like my grandpa was an expirence I am truely glad I did not get to miss out on. As I think back on all the good times we had I will always charish them forever.From all the life lessons he taught from the countless summers I spent up in the U.P. with him. Especily the countless hours we spent in the deer blind as he told me about his past deer hunts and his journeys out west to hunt mule deer and bronghorn.Or the summer when he tried to play a trick on my dad and made it look like he tied us up and he took a picture and sent it to my dad. I’m always going to rememeber these good times and miss him very much and keep him and these times in my heart forever.
Robert Ritchie
Holly, MI
I am truely sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
Rebecca Wilson
Williamsburg, KY
Being one of my grandpas grandsons was a truely amazing thing we shared lots of fun and exciting memories with my grandpa. Remembering that he was the one that showed me how to play checkers so good. I will miss you forever grandpa.
Nicklas Ritchie
Holly , MI
Bill, you welcomed me into your home as though I were family and made me feel welcome. I learned from you, and shot my first deer with you. I always considered you a friend, and you will be remembered with respect and fondness, and also gratitude. You can be proud of your son Bill, and your grandsons Billy, Robert, Nicky and Andrew, and also Felicia, a fine woman and wife and mother. A fine family, son and grandsons are a legacy that you can be proud of. Thank you for your kindness, friendship and sense of humor. You will be greatly missed.
Rich Kropp
Shelby Township, MI
Donna, we really want to tell you how sorry we are about you losing Bill. You only had him for 3 and half years and we know you guys were very happy and we had alot of fun with you both when we came up there. We are going to miss that and miss my brother very much. Our Father is gone, our Mother is gone and now my big Brother is gone. Love you and you keep in touch with us, after all you are still our sister-in-law…..Love Bobbi and Carl
Carl and Bobbi Fisher
Cleveland, OH
The Ritchie Family
Our thoughs and pryer are with each of you,as you gothrough this diffcult and trying time.
Apparatus staff
Universal-Macomb Ambulance
Sterling Hghts, MI
I will always remember hunting with Bill and his dad. Some of my best memorys are of being on there 40 acers on opening day & being treated like family from both of Bills parents. Thanks for the good times & the great memorys.
Walt Marth
New Balyimore, MI
Donna- I didn’t have the privledge of getting to know Bill, but I know that you were very happy in your marraige to him. I’m so happy you had these wonderful years together. Thanks for the beautiful letter last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of Bill’s family.
Karen and Mike Miron
Grand Rapids, MI
Anonymous
This brother was a very kind and likeable guy whom I had the pleasure to work with on the W.F.D. He will be missing and never forgotten. I’m truly sorry for your loss !
Raymond Wahl retired Cap’t/Medic W.F.D.
Columbus Twp, MI
Donna,
I am so very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you as always. Bill was very a lucky man to be married to such a wonderfull woman and I know you were so lucky so have a such a wonderfull husband.
God Bless you.
Sally Rager
New Port Richey, FL
When you were in Penneys today I thought I over hurd you saying your husbond died. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I believe he is home now in Gods loving arms.
Take care
Cathy King Stone
Rapid River, MI
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your husband, father & grandfather. We hope the wonderful memories you have of him will give you some peace and comfort in the days to come. God Bless you all! Love, Reid, Lori, Victor & Alex Erickson
Lori Erickson
Ann Arbor, MI
To Bill and Family…My deepest condolences. I had the honor of knowing your Father for the years at WFD. May he rest in peace.
Pete Solitro
Warren, MI
My deepest sympathies to the Ritchie family. Bill truly was THE nicest guy. I only had 8 yrs on the job when he retired, but I remember him working in apparatus division…..very patient with us “new” guys. I’d only seen him once since he retired, but will always remember him for who he was.
Hank Criscuolo, Chief of EMS, WFD
Warren, MI
Bill was my “rookie” in the fire service! I took him under my wing and even taught him how to hang “Screen Doors” He was a fast learner and a great guy. We had a lot of fun on the job together and I missed him since I retired back in “84”-
Sorry to hear about Jeannie and now Bill. May he be in a much better place and I hope to be with him soon! God bless my brother Firefighter and friend–
Ron Herr, Firefighter, Captain, retired!
Warren, MI
My sincerest prayers for Bill, and condolences for his family. I worked with Bill for close to 25 years and I respected Bill, and always enjoyed working with him. Bill had that rare humor and wit that kept you on your best game. Rest in peace, Bill.
Walt Plajstek (Capt.WFD,ret.)
Clarkston, MI
Sorry to hear of your loss. Bill was a great person to be around and to have conversation with. I worked with Bill for many years at the Warren FD. Enjoyed watching him make his fishing lures and hearing about all those TALL fishing tales! Too young to pass on ,I will remember him and your family in prayer………..
Al Kane
Shelby Twp., MI
I have many fond memories of the years I worked with bill on the Warren fire dept. He was one of the nicest people on the dept. And also a great firefighter and officer. He will be missed by all of us.
William Karpinski
Warren, MI
To the Ritchie Family:
I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I hadn’t seen him much since he retired and moved up North, but I have many fond memories of Bill. God Bless.
Larry Sommers
Clinton Township, MI
To the Ritchie family,
I’ve known Bill since we attended Lincoln Junior High School and played football and basketball together. He moved to Cleveland in 1957 and we lost touch with each other. He showed up again in 1967 as a rookie on the Warren Fire Department. We worked together, off and on, for the next 25 years. He retired and moved away to his beloved U.P. He was a great guy and I now wish we had kept in touch more over the last 18 years. My sincere condolences to his family, especially his son Billy. G. D. Garwood, Capt., Retired WFD
Glen (Dave) Garwood
Pigeon, MI
Bill JR. and family- We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless,
Dan, Pam, Noah, and Gabby Brown
Please keep in touch.
Dan and Pam Brown
Warren, MI
We deeply regret not being able to attend Bill’s memorial and pay our respect to a great guy and wonderful brother-in-law. We will always remember the times we spent together joking and enjoying his company. We accepted Bill into our family from day one. He was the kind of guy who made you feel like you had known him for years. He will be greatly missed.
Nick & Sally Sandoval
West Bend, WI
Donna:
I am so sorry to read about the loss of your husband. I couldn’t believe when I read the paper on line today. I knew you told me he was sick. May God give you strength to carry on. I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you.
Jeanne Gilbert
Valparaiso, IN
Bill was a very dear friend and a big tease and will be missed very much. He will always be remembered and I will always cherish my turtle.
Mary Ann Pepin
Gladstone, MI
Our thoughts and prayers to the family of Bill Ritchie. A life well lived serving others. Always a smile and a chuckle to share. May he rest in peace.
Chris Hartman and Family
Warren, MI
Bill, we’ll miss you.
From the Warren Firefighters Local 1383
Leo Francis
Chesterfield , MI
Donna,and Family and to Bill Ritchie’s family and friends, Carol and I want to extend our heartfelt sympthy in the loss of “Bill”.
Richard & Carol Aker
Las Vegas, NV
We met Bill thru his son, William 5yrs ago.
Felicia was working with Bill at Universal. We were at Bill’s house and Grandpa Bill came to visit for the first time. Bill, Felicia and the Boys introduced us to him for the very first time. He had the most prettiest blue eyes and welcomed us with his wonderful smile. We all sat and talked about his wood working skills. He gave us some wood hummingbirds, little fat froges, fish and pins for our coats. We put all the wood carvings on our Christmas tree. We will always have Bill with us in our hearts forever. He has a wonderful talent in wood carving. I know he will make a wood carving angle for God to have at his side.
One summer day, all of us went down to the lake. It was time to go back to the house. Bill was walking down the stairs and turned his ankle. He broke it. We all felt very bad. He did not want us to worry about him. He said it was OK. But that was Bill for you.
We will always remember him. He had a kind heart and a funny personality. We Love you Bill and God Bless You.
Joe & Jean Formosa
Brighton, MI
I’m a retired Warren Firefighter. I worked with Bill on a few occasions (we were on different shifts) and always appreciated the gentle and peaceful manor in the way he carried himself. He listened to you when you spoke with him, making you feel like you were important. Can’t say that about many people. A real kind man.
Doug DeSantis
Oxford, MI
Rest in peace, Bill. Your friends and family are all in our hearts and prayers. I’m sure I speak for the rest of “the family” at the Warren Fire Department.
Curt Behnke
Warren, MI
I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies for your loss. I was a firefighter in the city of Warren and retired in 2006. I had the pleasure of working with Bill from time to time and thought of him as a very kind man who loved the outdoors and was a good cook. I especially loved his biscuits and gravy. It is sad to hear that he has passed away at a young age. He will be missed.
I will remember him and your family in my prayers.
Kraig Selleke
Shelby Township, MI
I will miss my grandpa with all the times we spent together. The most times we spent together and having fun was when we were fishing or sitting in the deer blind. I will miss him a lot but he got to see me grow up to be who I am and some of the stuff I have done to make him proud. The most fun is when I shot my first deer with him I think that was my favorite memory with him. I will miss you grandpa I love you.
Billy
Holly, MI
We send our condolences to you Bill, as you have to say “see you later” (never say good-bye) to your dad. We all know how proud you’ve made him. What a tribute to his memory, for you to carry on being the wonderful person that you are. I know that he will continue to smile down on you for many years to come. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with each one of your during this difficult time. Please, send our love and sympathy to Donna…what an amazing lady she is!!
Jay, Kim, Ashley, Jenna & Kyle Owens
Sterling Heights, MI
I love all the times I spent with my grandpa. One of the memories that I remember the most was when I was talking with him about my footall season. I love u grandpa and ill miss you forever. (the youngest grandson and he got away with everything Hahaha).
Andrew Ritchie
Holly, MI
Being a grandson to a man like my grandpa was an expirence I am truely glad I did not get to miss out on. As I think back on all the good times we had I will always charish them forever.From all the life lessons he taught from the countless summers I spent up in the U.P. with him. Especily the countless hours we spent in the deer blind as he told me about his past deer hunts and his journeys out west to hunt mule deer and bronghorn.Or the summer when he tried to play a trick on my dad and made it look like he tied us up and he took a picture and sent it to my dad. I’m always going to rememeber these good times and miss him very much and keep him and these times in my heart forever.
Robert Ritchie
Holly, MI
I am truely sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
Rebecca Wilson
Williamsburg, KY
Being one of my grandpas grandsons was a truely amazing thing we shared lots of fun and exciting memories with my grandpa. Remembering that he was the one that showed me how to play checkers so good. I will miss you forever grandpa.
Nicklas Ritchie
Holly , MI
Bill, you welcomed me into your home as though I were family and made me feel welcome. I learned from you, and shot my first deer with you. I always considered you a friend, and you will be remembered with respect and fondness, and also gratitude. You can be proud of your son Bill, and your grandsons Billy, Robert, Nicky and Andrew, and also Felicia, a fine woman and wife and mother. A fine family, son and grandsons are a legacy that you can be proud of. Thank you for your kindness, friendship and sense of humor. You will be greatly missed.
Rich Kropp
Shelby Township, MI
Donna, we really want to tell you how sorry we are about you losing Bill. You only had him for 3 and half years and we know you guys were very happy and we had alot of fun with you both when we came up there. We are going to miss that and miss my brother very much. Our Father is gone, our Mother is gone and now my big Brother is gone. Love you and you keep in touch with us, after all you are still our sister-in-law…..Love Bobbi and Carl
Carl and Bobbi Fisher
Cleveland, OH
The Ritchie Family
Our thoughs and pryer are with each of you,as you gothrough this diffcult and trying time.
Apparatus staff
Universal-Macomb Ambulance
Sterling Hghts, MI
I will always remember hunting with Bill and his dad. Some of my best memorys are of being on there 40 acers on opening day & being treated like family from both of Bills parents. Thanks for the good times & the great memorys.
Walt Marth
New Balyimore, MI
Donna- I didn’t have the privledge of getting to know Bill, but I know that you were very happy in your marraige to him. I’m so happy you had these wonderful years together. Thanks for the beautiful letter last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of Bill’s family.
Karen and Mike Miron
Grand Rapids, MI