William Wallace Ratcliffe

William Wallace "Bill" Ratcliffe "Beloved Companion, Father, Grandfather, and Brother Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother passed from this earth life on Monday, January 27, 2003, after a valiant fight with cancer. He was born March 23, 1925, to William and Lucille Wilkins Ratcliffe, in Provo, Utah. While growing up, he attended Provo City schools. He enlisted in the Navy in March 1943, and served on an aircraft carrier in the Asian Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in March 1946. Returning from the war, he went to work at Provo Flying Service. Later, he met the love of his life, Nelda Jean Gammell, and married her on September 4, 1952 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Later, he went to work for Walt Disney in the "nature series" motion picture department, but finding the extensive travel undesirable for his close-knit family, he settled on a civil service career as a test photographer at Dugway Proving Grounds. During this time he also pursued his "real interest" in nature photography and became a world-renowned photographer. His works have been displayed all over the world and he did the photography for three books. In addition, his pictures were shown in numerous magazines and other publications. He still has photos hanging in the Salt Lake International Airport. He also enjoyed woodworking and his numerous "pieces of art" adorns his home and the homes of family members. These represent thousands of hours of meticulous hard work. He spent his later years with his wife Nelda, photographing in his "home away from home", Death Valley. He retired from Dugway in 1985. He was a tremendous family man and his wife, kids, and grandkids were the real gems in his life. He was constantly doing things for them.  He is survived by his wife Nelda, of Orem; three sons: Craig (Dawn) of West Jordan, Gary (Michelle) of Springville, and Jeff (living and working in Africa); one sister Helen, of Salt Lake City, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A stillborn son, Brent, preceded him in death. Funeral Services will be held February 1, 2003 at the Lakeview 8th Ward LDS chapel located at 155 West 1600 South, Orem, Utah, at 2 p.m. Friends may call Friday, January 31, 2003, at the Berg Mortuary, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah, from 6-8 p.m., and at the Lakeview 8th ward LDS chapel two hours prior to services. Interment will be at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East, Springville, Utah. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to VistaCare, 680 East Main Street, Suite 202, Lehi, Utah, 84043.