William Lawrence Ratliff

William Lawrence Ratliff William Lawrence Ratliff, age 85, of Richlands, VA, passed away Tues., Nov. 23, 2010, in a Richlands, VA, hospital. He was born in Buchanan County and was the son of the late Adam Poe and Eva Harman Ratliff. He was a member of the Richlands Tabernacle for over 40 years and was a proud World War II U.S. Navy Veteran having served his country in the North African and European Theatre. After World War II, he went to work for Cadillac in Detroit, MI. He returned to Richlands in 1957 and was the owner and operator of Lawrence Ratliff Trucking for 20 years. He also worked in the mining industry having operated heavy equipment for PERMAC for 20 years. After retiring, he returned to work for Pounding Mill Quarry where he worked until his second retirement in 1996. He enjoyed recreational aviation and enjoyed flying out of the Doran airport for years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Jenelle "Subby" Ratliff Peak, and two brothers, Bernard and Earnest Ratliff. Survivors are: His wife of 63 years: Ethel Faye Eiklor Ratliff; one daughter: Carolyn Sue Ratliff Horton and husband, Phillip, of Richlands, VA; two sons: Bobby Gene Ratliff and wife, Linda, of Bedford, VA, William Larry Ratliff and wife, Debbie, of Cedar Bluff, VA; four sisters: Ida Ruth Ratliff Keene of Thomasville, NC, Shirley Ratliff Hampton and husband, Hubert, of Cedar Bluff, VA, Joan Ratliff Russ Street of Pounding Mill, VA, Peggy Ratliff Alsbrook and husband, Kenneth, of Richlands, VA; one brother: Raymond Ratliff of Wytheville, VA; six grandchildren: Dr. Bobby Kevin Ratliff and wife, Josie, of Verona, VA, John William Ratliff and wife, Kim, of Abingdon, VA, Amanda Susan Ratliff Turner and husband, David, of Forest, VA, Joshua David Ratliff and wife, Valerie, of Wilmore, KY, William Seth Ratliff of Cedar Bluff, VA, and Daniel Isaac Ratliff of Cedar Bluff, VA; and four great grandchildren: Abigail Elizabeth Ratliff, William Charles Ratliff, Laeth William Ratliff, and Savana Grace Ratliff. Funeral services for William Lawrence Ratliff were conducted Fri., Nov. 26, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Richlands Tabernacle in Richlands, VA, with the Rev. Ralph Horton, Rev. Bob Osborne, and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, VA. Pallbearers were: Carlos Russ, Jr., Kenneth Alsbrook, Ricky Ratliff, Lewis A. Peak, III, William Poe Peak, and Gerald Shortt. Honorary pallbearers were: Mike Street, Eric Shortt, Rev. Tim Lester, John Rosenbaum, Charlie Simmons, and Gary Hess. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 conducted military graveside rites. Friends called after 6 p.m. Thurs. evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA, and at the church one hour prior to the funeral on Friday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA, was in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com