William B. Ritzinger "Bill", 70, an Eau Claire resident, passed away peacefully at Sacred Heart Hospital on October 15, 2023.
Bill, the son of John L. and Verna I. (Vonnie) Ritzinger, was born and raised in
Chippewa Falls, WI. He was a graduate of McDonell Central High School and UW-Stout where he attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design.
A talented artist and graphic designer, Bill applied his skills in promotional materials for the many bands for which he mixed sound. In the business world he created advertisements and logos for corporate and civic events alike using the internet as a tool for securing freelance work. While his wallet may have been thin at times, Bill's life was abundant with longtime, loyal friends who appreciated his dry, sardonic, quick wit. He was a tender, sometimes nostalgic man who stopped what he was doing to help a friend. An avid and accomplished fisherman, Bill cherished his time on the water with pole in hand. Bill was a life-long reader with wide ranging interests in history, national and international current events and he could speak factually on many topics, all of which made him a natural at trivia games where he prevailed handily. He was a Chippewa Valley boy with an edgy metropolitan sense of the world and its foibles. Perhaps sensing the serious state of his health, Bill recently posted on Facebook a Robert Frost poem entitled "Acquainted With The Night":
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain---and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with night.
Bill will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Bill was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother-in-law, Ross Anderson. He is survived by his brother, James (Patricia) of
Plymouth, MN, and sisters, Catherine (David) McGuire of
El Dorado Hills, CA, Susan Anderson of
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Rosemary Ritzinger of Minneapolis, MN and Caroline (Neil) Larson of
Maple Grove, MN as well as many nieces and nephews.
The visitation will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, from NOON until 2 P.M. at Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center 1717 Devney Drive in
Altoona, WI, followed by a celebration of life/sharing of memories.
The family requests no flowers.
Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center in Altoona is serving the family.
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