Ritchie, William (Bill) (Died)

William (Bill) Ritchie

Flags flew at half-mast at Georgetown, firehall and Branch 120 Legion in memory of William (Bill) Ritchie who died at Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital on Friday, September 6. He was in his 63rd year.

Veteran firefighter, Legion member, an employee of Georgetown Hydro, a catcher with Georgetown hardball beams and a player with the intermediate hockey Papermakers who preceded the Raiders, Bill Ritchie was widely known and respected.

He served 36 years on the Georgetown fire brigade where he was the oldest driver. In 1942 he was the first driver of the La France fire truck. His concern for fellow firefighters made him a favorite at the fire hall. Chief Ken Buikema acknowledged "Bill prepared soup, coffee and sandwiches for all the guys after returning from fighting fires."

Serving overseas in World War II, Bill returned to his job at Georgetown Hydro where he was employed for 37 years.

He was a member of Credit Lodge 219 A.F. & A.M. and Halton chapter 234, Royal Arch Masons, as well as being a member of Orion Lodge 109, I.O.O.F.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. Peter Barrow from Knox Presbyterian Church on Monday with fellow, firefighters serving as an honor guard and 10 acting as flower bearers. Firefighters and friends from all over Ontario attended.

Pallbearers were Jack Armstrong, Graham Farnell, Chuck Hill, Herb "Red" Roshier, Bill Bryden and Lorne Cross.

Flower bearers included representatives from the Humber-Credit Firefighters Association, the Halton Fire Prevention Bureau and fellow long service and retired members of the Georgetown brigade as well as the brigade's hunt club.

He is survived by his wife Lillian and daughter Lynne (Mrs. Donald Dingwall) of Dryden and a grandson Jamie. Also surviving are brothers and sisters Dorothy (Mrs. Charles Tyler), Reta (Mrs. Glen Christian), Marie (Mrs. Doug McCallum), Marion (Mrs. Bruce Lindsay). A sister Lillian (Mrs. Charles McMenemy) predeceased him.

Interment was in Greenwood cemetery.