Mr. William R. Ritter, age 77, of Cedartown, passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 unexpectedly at his residence.  He was born on January 2, 1941, in Akron, Ohio.  He was the son of the late William and Amelia Galko Ritter of Ohio.

William or "Bill" as he was called graduated from Green High School, in Akron, Ohio in 1959 and went on to study at Kent State University while on a machinist apprenticeship with Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron.

He loved sports, namely baseball, and enjoyed being a pitcher for the American Legion in the local area.  Bill later transferred to Rockmart, Georgia in 1971 to advance his career with Goodyear Aerospace company (now Meggitt Polymers and Composites).  Bill retired as the manager of Health, Safety, and Environmental with the company around 2010 contracted for a bit afterwards.  He was quite proud of his tenure with the company.  Bill enjoyed golfing, travel, gardening and the outdoors.

Mr. Ritter is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Jones Ritter; daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Terry Rann and Lisa and Bryon Arnold; sons and daughters-in-law, William and Kimberly Ritter and Robert and Minna Ritter; grandchildren, Steven, Kevin, Kristen, Arron, Chris, Nate, Tony, Haley and William; two great-granddaughters; sister-in-law, Nina Ritter and nephew, Don Ritter.

Mr. Ritter is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don Ritter.

The local funeral arrangements for Mr. William R. Ritter will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at two o'clock in the afternoon in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Benefield officiating.

The family of Mr. Ritter will receive family and friends on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from twelve o'clock in the afternoon until the funeral hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.

The final service for Mr. William R. Ritter will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at twelve o'clock in the afternoon by Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Akron, Ohio. Visitation will be on Monday, August 6, 2018 at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home from six o'clock in the evening until eight o'clock in the evening.

Interment will follow on Tuesday in the East Liberty Cemetery in Green, Ohio.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the local arrangements for Mr. William R. Ritter.