William Charles Ratcliff

   William Charles Ratcliff was born on May 12, 1985, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Tommy and Mary Ann Ratcliff.  Will spent the first 8 years of his life in his dad’s hometown of Liberty, Mississippi.  Then, his family moved to McComb, Mississippi.  He became a member of JJ White Presbyterian Church. While there, he was a Boy Scout and earned his Eagle Scout.

   Following high school, he attended Southern Mississippi University where he majored and graduated with a business degree.  After a few years, Will heard a very distinctive call from God.  He then attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.  During his time here he met his wife, Bonnie.  In May 2014, Will graduated with a Master of Divinity.  He then married his wife in June 2015.

   They moved to Tarkio, Missouri in the summer of 2015, where he started his student pastorship at United Presbyterian Church in Tarkio.  He was ordained in July 2018.   

   In June of 2020 they welcomed their son Thomas Bryan Ratcliff, named after his grandfathers.  Then, in August 2020, his family moved to North Platte, Nebraska, where he was called to be the pastor at First Presbyterian Church.  However, it was shortly after they moved, they received the news that Will’s brain cancer was back after almost 20 years.

   Will went through chemotherapy and radiation and eradicated the cancer.  However, his body was unable to recover from all the treatment and he passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2023.  He was extremely loved by his wife, son, and family.

   Will was preceded in death by his grandmothers Tomasa Pilato and Mary B. Cleveland, and Uncle Lonnie Braude.  He is survived by his wife Bonnie and son Thomas; parents Tommy and Mary Ann Ratcliff of McComb, MS; sister Nicole (Abhay) Patel of New Orleans, LA; aunts Margi Braude of Melbourne, FL, Gigi (Joe) Sigga of Chesterfield, VA;  parents-in-law Bryan and Andrea Mellage of Auburn; brothers-in-law Scott (Mary) Mellage of Auburn, Dana (Madi) Mellage of Fort Collins, CO; sister-in-law Mariah (Kyle) Bantz of Nebraska City; cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.    

   A funeral service will be Thursday, September 28, 10:00 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Auburn.  Burial will follow in Glenrock Cemetery near Brock.  Visitation will be at the funeral home Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 5:00 to 7:00.

   Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to the family for distribution at their discretion.