Willis Charles Ritz

Willis Charles (Bill) Ritz was born July 24, 1930 in Okeene, Oklahoma to A.L.(Andy) and Evelyn Alyce (Webster) Ritz, the eldest son in a family of nine children. He passed from this life into the presence of his Savior on May 4, 2025 at his home in Woodway, Texas at the age of 94.

He spent his early life in the Okeene and Southard, OK area. He loved playing baseball and basketball and told stories of working on the family farm. Bill attended Southard, OK High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1948. He attended Oklahoma State University before enlisting in the US Air Force in January 1951, ultimately retiring from the Air Force in 1971 as a Senior Master Sergeant.

During his time in the military, he lived in and visited many places around the world, including serving in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He always looked for a way to tell others about Jesus. In his younger days he organized Youth for Christ rallies in England.

While stationed in England, he met and fell in love with Jean Elizabeth Eglen. They married December 27, 1954 in Dereham, Norfolk, England. They had four children, Priscilla (Bill) Barnes, Jeanette (Russell) Little, Elizabeth (Randall) Guyton and William (Stacy) Ritz.

After retiring from the Air Force, Bill moved to Hennessey, OK where he worked in various roles in the automotive industry, finally running his own shop with his brother Jack. He then worked in the oil field until retirement. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1999, and to Woodway, TX in 2008, where he lived the remainder of his life. During his lifetime he actively supported many organizations and missionaries focused on bringing the Word of God throughout the world. He was active in the Gideons International, and his church, First Woodway Baptist Church. Throughout his life, Bill was continually reaching out to help people. He stopped to help people on the side of the road, to pick up people on the road, or to bring people home for a meal. None left without hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was always willing and ready to provide help to anyone who called or asked. He loved God, his family and his country. He enjoyed telling people about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, A.L. (Andy) and Alyce Ritz, his sisters, Betty Ritz and Doris Young, his brother Lewis (Jack) Ritz, his in-laws, Geoffrey and May Eglen, brother-in-law Kenny Garner, brother-in-law Lew Bregenzer, and sister-in-law Johnnie Ritz.

He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Jean of Woodway, TX, daughters Priscilla (Bill) Barnes, Hennessey, OK, Jeanette (Russell) Little, Fort Worth, TX, Elizabeth (Randall) Guyton, Seaside, FL, and son William (Stacy) Ritz, Waco, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren Aaron (Leslie) Barnes, Kearney, MO, Adam (Brandi) Barnes, Stillwater, OK, Jason (Kendra) Barnes, Edmond, OK, Ronnie (Heather) Woolbright, Burleson, TX, Sara (Justin) Ratliff), Decatur, TX, Paul (Katie) Woolbright, Euless, TX, David (Yami) Woolbright), Azle, TX, Meg (Austin) Pisacane, Austin, TX, Olivia (Slater) Stringer, (Atlanta, GA), Kathryn Ritz, Lorena, TX and Macyn Pierce, Lorena, TX, in addition to 19 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Dan (Kathy) Ritz, Mineola, TX, Jim (Donna) Ritz, Piedmont, OK, and Terry (Judy) Ritz, Sachse, TX; his sisters Alyce Bregenzer, Hennessey, OK and Carolyn (Don) Winter, Enid, OK, sister-in-law Barbara Garner, Dereham, UK, brother-in-law Derek (Jo) Eglen), Dereham, UK, along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Grace Gardens, 8220 Woodway Drive, Waco, Texas on May 12, 2025, followed by burial with military honors at Fort Hood, Kileen Texas. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons International in memory of Willis Charles Ritz for placement of Bibles. Donations may be made online at www.gideons.org or mailed to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.