William Ritchie

William “Bill” Ritchie, 91, of Cerro Gordo, IL, formerly of Brandon, MS passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, IL. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 10-11:30am with a memorial service following at 11:30am at the Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Cerro Gordo, IL. Family requests casual attire. Burial will be in the Cerro Gordo Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Piatt County Fair or Cerro Gordo American Legion Post 117.Bill was born on November 30, 1925, in rural Cerro Gordo, IL, the son of William Harrison and Lulu (Paradee) Ritchie. He married Joyce H. Hainey and later married Myra Basden; both have preceded him in death. Bill was an Army veteran from WWII. He was a farmer for many years, until he moved to Mississippi. He worked for Hemphill Construction until he retired at age 85. Bill was a member of the Cerro Gordo American Legion Post 117 and the Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church. He is the last of the original founders of the Piatt County Fair.Bill is survived by his children; Ilene Harned of Champaign, IL, Steve (Angie) Ritchie of Oreana, IL, Don (Cristy) Ritchie of Cerro Gordo, IL, Beth (Dale) Walker of Greenwood, IN, Laura (Buck) Buchanan of Greenwood, IN, Elizabeth (Greg) Duggar of Peachtree City, GA, and Julia Basden of Brandon, MS. Bill is also survived by 32 grandchildren, and 43 great-grandchildren.Bill was preceded in death by his parents, two wives; one daughter, Linda Haynes; one sister, Joan Grabowski; and one brother, Donald Wayne Ritchie. "
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