Charles Edward “Eddie” Ratcliffe, of Williamsburg, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the age of 68.
Mr. Ratcliffe was raised in Williamsburg and attended James Blair High School. He then joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Ashtabula. After leaving the service, he returned to Virginia in 1966 to marry the love of his life, Rose Marie Lopez.
Mr. Ratcliffe started his civilian career as a service technician in the boiler room at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Still feeling the need to serve his country, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was voted drill sergeant of the year in 1982.
During his 37 years at Colonial Williamsburg, Mr. Ratcliffe received his electronic certification, worked in the electronics department and became a master electrician. At the end of his career he was a foreman of the Mechanical Operations Maintenance Department and was in charge of operations for many of the merchants on Duke of Gloucester Street, where he made many lifelong friends.
Mr. Ratcliffe was a person of high integrity, always the first to offer to help and the last to ask for it. As a true outdoorsman, he was also known for his love of hunting and fishing and could often be found on his boat or in the woods. His love for his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as his entire family, will leave a legacy of love that will never be forgotten.
He was born April 2, 1945 in Pearisburg and was preceded in death by his parents, Ward Benjamin Ratcliffe, Sr. and Catherine Elizabeth Stevens; sisters, Brenda Tuck, Sandra Clausen and Pennie Crow; and one brother, William Ratcliffe.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Rose Marie Ratcliffe; daughters, Karen Marie Daniels and her husband, Robert, Debra Anne Rony and her husband, Paul; grandchildren, Ashleigh, William and Summer Daniels and Chase and Paige Rony; brothers, Ward B. Ratcliffe and his wife, Norma, Robert Ratcliffe and his wife, Linda and Larry Ratcliffe and his wife, Shirley; sister, Beverly Smith and her husband, Greg; and a host of other loving family.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2014 at Bucktrout Funeral Home. Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014, at the funeral home by family Ministers Micah Steele and Kevin Shirey with graveside services to follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to University of Virginia – Lung Transplant Program, P.O. Box 400807 Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4194.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Bucktrout of Williamsburg.
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