Bill Ritter Obituary (1946 - 2010)

Coffeyville - Bill Ritter, 63, of rural Caney, KS passed away Friday, March 19, 2010 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, OK. He was born August 14, 1946 at Ponca City, OK to Tex and Ruth (Snyder) Ritter. Bill grew up and attended school in Coffeyville. Bill was a veteran of the Vietnam war serving in the U. S. Navy from January 1965 until receiving his honorable discharge in January 1969. On March 21, 1970 he married Donna Sexton at Neodesha, KS. Following their marriage they made their home in the Caney area where Bill was employed by Gas Service Co. in Bartlesville, following his retirement he was an inspector for the Chautauqua County Rural Water District. Bill was a life member of Elliott-Funston-White V.F.W. Post #1022 in Coffeyville and the National Rifle Association; a member of American Legion Post #138 in Caney, Past Master of Caney Masonic Lodge #324 A.F. & A.M., current Master of Keystone Masonic Lodge #102 A.F. & A.M. in Coffeyville, and a member of Sword of Bunker Hill, he was a Boy Scout Leader and a Hunter Safety Course Instructor. Survivors include his wife, Donna of the home; one son, Shawn Ritter and wife, Jennifer of Caney; two daughters, Barbara Vaughn and husband, Tommy of Coffeyville, and Chrystal Garrison and husband, Jacob of Coffeyville; one brother; one sister; and six grandchildren, Garet Houser, Tanner Vaughn, Erin Ritter, Evan Ritter, Wyatt Houser, and Allyson Vaughn. He was preceded in death by his parents. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2010 in the Fairview Cemetery at Niotaze, KS, with Dr. Wayne Norton of the First Baptist Church in Coffeyville officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by V.F.W. Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20, and Masonic Rites conducted by Keystone Masonic Lodge #102 A.F. & A.M. Friends sign the register book on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Assoc. or the American Diabetes Assoc.; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Tagged as: American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Legion, Fairview Cemetery, First Baptist Church, V.F.W., Vietnam