Ernie Ritchie

MR. ERNIE RITCHIE, of Huntington, WV, formerly of Williamson, WV, passed away, Thursday, January 1, 2026, at his residence.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Harmony United Methodist Church, with Rev. Phil Wilson & Dr. Okey Harless officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.
He was born January 21, 1944, in Williamson, WV, the only son of the late Ernest M. and Katherine Williams Ritchie. Also preceding him in death was a sister-in-law Marilyn Ferrell and a brother-in-law Charles Leonard.
He has been a licensed Embalmer and Funeral director with Chapman's Mortuary since 1977. He was a 1961 graduate of Williamson High School. He attended Marshall University and was a graduate of the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science. While residing in Williamson, WV, he was employed with the M. T. Ball Funeral Home, and was a member of the Williamson Police Department, and the Williamson Fire Department. He had the distinction, while working with the West Virginia Department of Welfare, of having issued the first Food Stamps in Mingo County. He served as Mingo County Coroner and was later appointed to the position of Medical Examiner in Mingo County.
He was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church (formerly Riverview United Methodist Church), where he was active in the Church Choir, and served on many boards and committees. In 1983 he began a Music Ministry, singing in church services in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. He was honored to be the officiant for and to have sung special music for many funeral services. He loved singing Barbershop, and was a member of the Tundertones, Barbousrville, WV, and the Singing Kernels of Ashland, KY. He was also a Kentucky Colonel.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Charlene Leonard Ritchie; his son and daughter-in-law Jason M. and Karen Montgomery Ritchie of Stafford, VA, two beautiful grandchildren, Kaley Anne & Luke McKinley Ritchie, a brother-in-law James Ferrell of Delbarton, WV, nephew Greg & Jennifer Ferrell, and very special friends Tom and Pam Nimmo of Barboursville, WV and Rick & Sarah Bowles.
In lieu of flowers, donations to may be made to Harmony United Methodist Church in memory of Ernie Ritchie (3800 Riverside Dr. Huntington, WV).
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Online condolences may be sent www.chapmans-mortuary.com.