Billie E. Ritter's Obituary
Bill passed away peacefully at his home, in the early hours of August 21, 2015. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Clovis and Louise Ritter, and his step-son James “Beaux” Geer. He is survived by his wife of 36 years (the love of his life), Millie (Droddy) Ritter; his sister Judy and husband Troy Freeman; son Brent E. Ritter; his step-son Gregory “Blackie” Geer; his daughter Kristi Renae and husband Ted Bennett; and his granddaughter, Nikole Renae Miller-Bennett, his pride and joy. Numerous nieces and nephews and and grandnephews/nieces and friends also mourn his passing. Born in Poteau, Oklahoma he was raised in Oklahoma City. Bill graduated from NW Classen High School in 1957, and shortly thereafter married his childhood sweet heart, Linda. They had two children: Brent and Kristi. (see above) Bill and Millie met in 1978 and a few months later decided to combine their families. Combining teenagers is a risky but in this case successful business. Millie says that someday she’ll write a book. After graduation along with several friends he joined the Marine Corp. After basic training, he served ten years in the Marine Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1967. Sergeant Bill Ritter was a Sharpshooter in the Marine Artillery at the time of his discharge. He was very proud of his service in the Marines. The old saying that “there is no such thing as an ex-Marine” certainly held true for Bill. After many years on the road, primarily as a paper-board designer and salesman, Bill decided that he wanted a position that would allow him to be at home. He went to work for Home Depot as a floor rep, and soon took on the role as a trainer serving in several departments and including forklift operations. After retiring at age 70, he went to work part time at Lowes. His building and handyman skills were great assets at H.D. and Lowes. “Bill was one of the most well-rounded individuals I ever knew” to quote one of his many friends. Very athletic, he played football in high school, rode dirt bikes, played tennis and loved any kind of physical challenge. Among his many skills Bill was an exceptional cook (better than me, says Millie) and loved to have friends and family around to feed. He learned to knit. He was a cartoonist and painter. He loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed his hunting trips to Brent’s land at Ozona; however, his passion was for fishing. Annual trips to Lake Texoma fishing for striper, along with time spent on his boat moored at Lake Lavon, were highlights of his life in later years. Over the years, he tried all kinds of things. Besides cooking, he did needle point, could hem and sew on buttons. He tried his hand at just about everything. He never differentiated things as being Woman’s or Man’s work. His latest project was taking a sewing class because he wanted to learn how to sew so he could recover the seats in the boat he kept at Lake Lavon. His class project was a dress for Millie which she plans to wear at his Memorial service. One of things he really enjoyed was singing: from the boys quartet in high school to singing bass in the church choir, Bill was happy to be able to express his faith. Bill and Millie sang in the Prestonwood Church Celebration Choir (600 voices). It was there that he found another outlet for his need to be productive and involved, acting. Although he only had very small roles in the annual Christmas Pageant, usually as a Rabbi or Pharisee, the bug had bitten. When Parkinson’s began to really affect his voice and physical stamina he could no longer stand up to the rigors of being in the choir. But he continued with his favorite role – playing Santa Claus at private parties and at Home Depot and other locations. He looked the part and needed no padding. All in all, Bill Ritter was a wonderful, forgiving, loyal, caring, open-minded and accepting man and he will be missed. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donations in Bill’s name to the Parkinson Voice Project. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held on September 11 at 1:00 p.m. at the Family’s bench alongside of the Whispering Waters, Restland Cemetary just off Restland Road at Greenville Ave. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243
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