Obituary of William D. Ritchey

Bedford William D. Ritchey, 76, of 1617 M Street, Bedford, died at 2:20 am on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at the Hospitality House in Bedford. Born March 14, 1930 in Avoca, he was the son of Glenn Thomas and Mamie (Perry) Ritchey. He married Charlotte B. Bailey in 1970 and she survives. He was first employed at Central Foundry in 1948 where he received acknowledgement for a number of winning suggestions on production lines. He studied mechanical engineering through Purdue University and worked at Sarkes-Tarzian in Bloomington and Reese Pulley in Columbus, IN. A life-long methods engineer, he received patents on a number of his ideas, which he promoted with his business, WDR Enterprises, Inc. In the 1970s, he started Better-Bilt Homes, Inc. and concentrated in the Eastern Heights Addition. In 1993, he retired from his auto dealership, Ritchey Auto Sales. He attended the Hilltop Pentecostal Church with his family and later in life, he attended the New Hope Community Church. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Gillen Post #33 American Legion. Surviving with his wife, Charlotte, is one sister, Margaret Spaulding of Phoenix, AZ and her children Rudy, Robin, Randy and Rusty Spaulding, Judy Cantrell, Rita Berkwitt, Julie Murphy and Tonya Macik; the children of his brother, Paul, Paul David, Gordon, Claude and Mark Ritchey and Madonna Gaye Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Paul and Robert Ritchey. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Monday, February 5th from the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastor Doug Martin and Rev. Bill Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, February 4th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Military rites will be accorded at the graveside by members of Gillen Post #33 American Legion. View Video Tribute