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FUNERAL HOME

Brentwood Funeral Home

839 First Street

Brentwood, California

William Ritchie Obituary

William McDonald

Ritchie

LAGRANGE - William Ritchie was called up to heaven on Sunday, March 24th. Born in Perth, Scotland, he grew up in Scone and attended Robert Douglas Memorial and Balhousie Boys Schools. At the age of 15, Bill joined the Army where he became a staff sergeant with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers. At the age of 26, he joined World Trade IBM as a Customer Engineer. In 1963, the family moved to USA on special assignment in Poughkeepsie, NY. In 1970, IBM moved them to Raleigh, NC at the opening of the Raleigh Research Triangle. Bill worked for IBM in the USA until he retired at the age of 59. A true patriot of the USA, Bill naturalized as a citizen in 1995.

Bill was a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley. Bill lived every day of his life to the fullest loving God and his family. He was an avid learner and interested in everything - science, world events, music, literature and history, especially the history of Scotland. Bill spent his days caring for his family, cooking, and gardening as well as wrote his memoirs on his computer and held annual events making memories. He befriended everyone he came in contact with and loved the company of his dearest friends.

He is survived by his loving wife Annie and his daughter Elizabeth Christina Ritchie-Schlytter of Brentwood, CA, his three brothers John, George, and James Ritchie of Scotland and his grandchildren Joseph William and Robert Benjamin Lemings of Billings, OK.

"Love is indestructible/Its holy flame forever burneth/From heaven it came to heaven returneth/Is oft on earth a troubled guest/At times deceived at times opprest/It here is tried and purified/Then hath in heaven its perfect rest/It soweth here with toil and care/But the harvest time of love is there."

This poem was written by Robert Southby.

"So I will sign off as Just William".

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal on Mar. 31, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for William Ritchie

17 Entries

Peter White

April 11, 2013

We were very sorry to learn that Bill had passed away so soon after his operation. He will be sadly missed by you all. My memories of him are of a very gallus laddie in Balhousie Boys School - the 'Hoosie' to us - a long time ago.
We are glad that Nan is now with her family. Mabel and I appreciate how much that means because we are in the same situation here with Elaine and Malcolm. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Mabel and Peter White, Perth.

April 2, 2013

We are so sorry to lose our dear friend Bill.Richard and I always enjoyed our get togethers with the Ritchie family, with Bill leading the way.He will be sadly missed,but always remembered.
Helen and Richard Poughkeepsie N.Y.

April 1, 2013

Very sorry for your loss,sadly its something we all have to endure.I never really knew William,but having read the letters and cards he sent my mum,his sister, I got the feeling he was a warm and very caring man, I do know that his letters and phone calls to my mum put her in a happier place.Our thoughts at this time are with you and yours,God Bless

Gordon and Wendy Sim

April 1, 2013

I hope that these few words will bring some comfort to Nan and Liz We often think of you all and remember with fondness the many happy times we shared in Raleigh.
Feel no guilt in laughter, he'd know how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.
He'd hope that you could carry on the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, a word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,
That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,
And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.
For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart
And he will live forever locked safely in your heart.

Lois Weber

April 1, 2013

I'll always remember Bill as a caring and upbeat fellow who obviously took such delight in his beautiful wife and daughters. Nan, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

March 31, 2013

I loved this man, Bill Ritchie. I do believe I was his favorite secretary at IBM and will always remember the respect he showed for my work. He hurried and scurried trying to get the job done and I was, and am, honored to have been able to serve and love him. What a smile ... what character ... God is great. I celebrate Bill's life and am thankful for the memories. May God be with you as you grieve for your loss, and now miss him in your lives. Sally Haywood Waldorf

March 31, 2013

Having met Bill in the seventies, it became quite obvious that Bill was a hard working man, devoted to his wife and family. I know he will be missed by all. He met all of his life challengers head on with no regrets. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Nan, Elizabeth, the grandsons and family. We wish that there was a better way to express our overwhelming sympathy to all of you. Bill's material life is over but his spiritual life is just beginning.
Marina and Jack

Bill and Leif

Maj-Britt Jansson

March 29, 2013

Dear Bill, thank you for the long friendship, thank you for all the great times we have spent together, thank you for the many fond memories that so often brings joy and laughter in our lives. We know that you will meet your dear old friend Leif now and I know that he is looking forward to that very much. Nan and Liz with family, our thoughts are always with you. Maj-Britt, Martin and Anders with families.

Scott Vancura

March 28, 2013

It is with great sadness we say goobye to Bill, a very dear and long time friend of my parents who watched me grow up and then became a wonderful friend to me and my family as well. I know though he will be dearly missed and always cherished I hope he is with Jennifer catching up on missed time. Nan our hearts are with you,Liz and family .May you be blessed with happy memories and love through this tough journey.Love always Scott, Rochelle and Richard Vancura

Joseph Lemings

March 28, 2013

Papa was one of the most Christ-like people I've ever known. Very humble and meek. His strength and character has always been qualities I truly respected. I was blessed to have him in my life and continue to be blessed with the knowledge to make myself a better man.
God bless you Papa
Joseph xoxo

Deb/Rich Parks

March 27, 2013

Bill you always saw the half-full glass, rather than the half-empty glass. You savored all that was served up to you. Your wry smile signaled that you'd soon make somebody else smile, too. I got some of my earliest lessons in civil rights from people like you, Nan, my Mom, and others who worked to help special children like Jennifer and my sister Cathy showcase their special talents. Cathy became one of your best buds and called you "Daddy Bill." You returned her nickname with an ever-ready hug. I marveled each time you called your life partner, Nan, "my lady" and bowed to kiss her hand. You felt your daughter Liz--who shared your love of critters--was up to any task life might hand her. (You felt that way about Mike and the grandkids, too.) A life well lived and a power of example for those of us with work left to do. Bill, I will talk to you in my prayers. Love and Blessings, Deb, Rich, and all our Critters

susan voth

March 26, 2013

It was a real privilege knowing Bill. I'm glad that he is one of the few people who you know for awhile, but we were able to keep our friendship through the years. I had no idea he was such a hero that he joined the service at age 15! I praise God that he was a believer and that he is in heaven now. It's no surprise that he was a believer, as he shared his faith with us. When I lose a close loved one, I remember the lines from "My Redeemer Lives" the next time is "what comfort this sweet sentence gives." So with that, we know it won't be long until we're all reunited.
Yes of course, even though we haven't seen Bill in a few years, we've kept in touch, and I am very sad, so I can only imagine for Nan and Liz and his grandsons how strong their feeling of loss is. But may the peace that transcends all understanding be with you all. God bless you all.

doreen carnevale

March 26, 2013

I only met Bill the once when visiting America,I thought he was an exceptionaly gentle man and such a good Parent to Jenni. I send my most sincere thoughts and prayers Nan and also to the other members of the family.Whilst meeting with Bill when he knew i was from edinburgh he asked if I knew a young man Alex Riva who had went out of his way to do something for the family,it turned out that alex lived next door to me, Doreen.

Deborah and Rich Parks

March 26, 2013

Bill, you always saw the half-full glass--life as something to be enjoyed, not to cry over. Your wry smile signaled that you'd soon make somebody else smile, too. I got some of my earliest lessons in civil rights from people like you, Nan, my Mom, and others who worked toward helping special children like Jennifer and my sister Cathy showcase their special talents. Cathy became best bud with "Daddy Bill," with whom she shamelessly flirted. He called his life partner, Nan, "his lady," and would bow to kiss her hand. He felt his daughter "Lizzy"--who shares his love of critters--was (and is) up to any task life might throw her way.(You, too, Mike.) A life well-lived and a power of example for those of us with work left to do. Bill, I will talk to you in my prayers as God now shines light and love upon you and other beloved souls who lead the way for the rest of us. Blessings to you and those who love you, Deb, Rich, and all our Critters.

Haroldine C Keeler

March 26, 2013

You couldn't be around Bill for more than a few minutes, and he would have you smiling and laughing with his snappy conversation and corny jokes. Bill was a devoted husband to "his lady" and a patient, loving father to his daughters, Jen and "Lizzy." He was an ongoing caregiver to his animal "friends," and a steadfast friend to me. Bill enjoyed life, and people "enjoyed" Bill, especially his soups and his Scottish kilt. We are going to miss you, but I know you will be "meeting up" with family members and old friends. Say "hi" to Jen and Cathy for me. I will miss you, Bill. Love and Prayers, Haroldine

March 26, 2013

So sorry to hear of your loss of Bill, my thoughts and prayers are with you Nan, Liz, grandsons and all the family. I knew Bill for many years and I have only nice memories of him, filled with laughter, good conversation, love and everything that makes a great friend. He was unconditional in his friendship.
With love and kind thoughts from Norma.

Brentwood Funeral Home

March 25, 2013

Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.

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