Charles Edward Ratcliffe

March 12, 2014
Charles Edward Ratcliffe

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Charles Edward Ratcliffe, 68, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014. Born April 2, 1945 in Pearisburg, VA to the late Ward Benjamin Ratcliffe Sr. and Catherine Elizabeth Stevens. Eddie was raised in Williamsburg and attended James Blair High School. Eddie then joined the US Navy and served during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Ashtabula. After leaving the service, Eddie 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, Eddie joined the US Army Reserves and was voted Drill Sargent of the year in 1982. During his 37 years at Colonial Williamsburg Eddie 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. Eddie was a person of high integrity who was always the first one to offer to help and the last one to ask for it. As a true outdoorsman he was also known for his love of hunting, 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.

Eddie was preceded in death by 3 sisters; Brenda Tuck, Sandra Clausen, and Pennie Crow and one brother; William Ratcliffe.

His memory is left to be cherished by his loving wife of 47 years Rose Marie Ratcliffe, two daughters Karen Marie Daniels and her husband Robert, Debra Anne Rony and her husband Paul, and five grandchildren; Ashleigh, William, and Summer Daniels and Chase and Paige Rony.

He is also survived by 3 brothers; Ward B. Ratcliffe and his wife Norma, Robert Ratcliffe and his wife Linda, Larry Ratcliffe and his wife Shirley, and one sister Beverly Smith and her husband Greg as well as a host of other loving family.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 14 from 5-7 pm at Bucktrout Funeral Home.

Services will be conducted by family Ministers Micah Steele and Kevin Shirey, Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 3:00 pm at Bucktrout Funeral Home with graveside services to follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to University of Virginia – Lung Transplant Program, PO Box 400807 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4194


Service

Saturday, March 15, 2014
12:00 AM

Bucktrout Funeral Home - Directions
4124 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-229-3822

Visitation

Friday, March 14, 2014
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Bucktrout Funeral Home - Directions
4124 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-229-3822

Purchase Flowers

Subscribe to this Obituary

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory



Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  • March 15, 2014
    Dave and Donna Cooper says:
    Donna and I worked at CW with Ward and Eddie. Eddie was a good, honorable, hard-working man. We pray for God's peace and beautiful memories to warm your heart and lessen the pain.

  • March 14, 2014
    Marianne, Steve, Nathan, and Andrew says:
    Eddie was a wonderful man and he will be missed. Our prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.

  • March 15, 2014
    Sylvia & David Tooley says:
    Our deepest sympathy for your loss. I grew up being friends with Penny, Sandy and Eddie. I knew the others but not as well. Great memories for me and I hope you can hold great memories also. I pray for comfort from God for each of you. Eddie was a nice person with a kind beautiful smile.

  • March 13, 2014
    Karen Jamai says:
    Our prayers go out to his all his loved ones. He was a loving husband and father, he will be missed by all whose lives he has touch. God Bless, Karen & Aidan Jamai

  • March 14, 2014
    Tim and Sheila Steele says:
    So sorry to hear of Eddie's passing. We always liked to see him during hunting season.