William (Bill) Wayne Ramsey

William (Bill) Wayne Ramsey, age 81, of Tulsa, peacefully passed away on February 7, 2021, in his home from complications of Lewy Body Dementia. He was surrounded by his beloved wife of 49 years and children.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Dovie Ramsey; his sister, Claudine Cartwright; and his son, Shawn Ramsey. He is survived by his wife, Kay Ann Ramsey, of Tulsa; five children and their spouses, (son) Shannon Ramsey and (wife) Paula of Tulsa, (son) Shane Ramsey of Tulsa, (daughter) Tina Romaniello and (husband) Steve of Atlanta, (son) Chad Ramsey of Sarasota, and (son) JJ Ramsey and (wife) Hortencia of Bentonville; 13 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.
Bill Ramsey was born on December 19, 1939 in Tulsa. He graduated from Edison High School in 1959 and then attended the University of Oklahoma. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1964.
He was a man of integrity, loyal, honest, hardworking, and highly respected. He was a dedicated husband, father, and Papa. One of his greatest legacies is how happy and how loving his marriage was. Their love was an inspiration to us all. First and foremost he was a family man. There is simply nothing he wouldn't do for his family. He was a loyal friend, some of his best friends would call him RamDog, RamDoggie, or even Wild Bill. He loved golf, the Oklahoma Sooners, and talking business. Bill loved his life, he loved his wife, he loved his family and friends and he will be missed greatly by all of us.
In 1970, Bill took over Ramsey Winch Company from founder and his father, Claude Ramsey. Claude and his brother, Rayburn, produced the first commercial model front mount winch in 1945. For over 30 years, he built the company into an international business that manufactured products and parts in one of the most advanced winch factories in the world. The organization acquired the Auto-Crane Company and became Ramsey Industries. The Ramsey Management team was led by Bill, CEO, and Joe Henry, President. The success of the company came from providing high-quality products to customers and treating employees like family.
In 1994, Bill decided to start a new business that all of his kids could be involved with. The family opened its first Schlotzsky's restaurant and it quickly became wildly successful. The family operated the #1 and the #2 highest-volume locations, as well as the world's largest Schlotzsky's restaurants at the same time. The company grew to include locations all over Oklahoma. As Bill dreamed and once recalled, "It was a true family business, we worked together as a family every day."
The family would like to thank Seasons Hospice and his caregivers, April, Samantha, and Tiffany.
There will be a small private service for immediate family members only. There will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or JDRF.