William D. “Bill” Ratz, of Brookville, was born on November 10, 1929 in Brookville, the son of Joseph and Margaret Tulley Ratz. He married Anita Andwan on May 11, 1957 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Dover. Bill enlisted with the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he and his brother Joe, opened a full service gas station on Main Street in Brookville. Together they operated the business for 44 years, retiring in 1997. Bill was proud to be a lifelong Franklin County resident, and enjoyed serving both residents and tourists that passed through the area. His community involvement included the Bernard Hurst Post #77, Brookville American Legion and its firing squad, the Franklin County Community Foundation and St. Michael Church. On Saturday, January 7, 2017, at the age of 87, Bill passed away at University Hospital in Cincinnati.
Those surviving who will cherish Bill’s memory include his wife of almost 60 years, Anita Ratz; children, Karen (Jim) Hountz of Dover, Pam (Joe) DeVille of Dover, Janie (Rex) Phillips of Indianapolis, and Rick Ratz of Brookville; grandchildren, Matthew (Sharlena) Hountz, Katie (Blaine) Gellert, Amy Hountz, Zachary Phillips, Elizabeth Phillips and Ross Phillips; 5 great-grandchildren, and siblings, Patricia Moody of Batesville, Alice (Rudy) Gesell of Brookville, Bonnie (John) Hornbach of Harrison, and Tom (Ruth Ann) Ratz of Brookville. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Irene Bruns, Joe Ratz, Dolores “Pete” Bossert, Eugene Ratz, Dave Ratz, and an infant sister, Doris Ratz.
Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. Holy Rosary will be recited at 3:15. A Mass of Christian burial, celebrated by Father John Kamwendo, is Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by Bernard Hurst Post #77, Brookville American Legion.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Right to Life of Franklin County, or to the Bill and Anita Ratz-Wind Beneath My Wings Endowment at the Franklin County Community Foundation to benefit the BVFD. To sign the online guestbook or to leave a personal condolence, please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Bill Ratz.