William C. Ricketts

Bill was born in Whittier, California on August 25, 1922 to William T. and Vera (Blue) Ricketts. Due to the death of his mother as an infant, Bill came to Colorado along with his older sisters Vera and Virginia to live on the Blue Ranch with their Aunt Maude, Uncle Claud and Uncle Clone Blue.

Bill graduated from Peyton School and on August 27, 1942 he joined the Army Air Corp. After basic training he reported to the Army transport base in Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada where he serviced aircraft. He was honorably discharged on October 20, 1945. Bill returned home to the Blue Ranch to continue ranching.

Bill married Lorraine May Stokes on November 29, 1947. To this union was born daughters Linda, Susan, and Julie and son John.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, daughters Linda and Julie, sisters Vera Moss and Virginia Moore.

Bill married Shirley Ritch February 11, 1989 who survives him. He is also survived by son John (Barbara) Ricketts, daughter Susan (Mike) Fields, stepsons Jeff Ritch, Willie Ritch and Raymond Ritch, stepdaughters Victoria Harmon and Sandra Duncan as well as 21 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO., Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. with Funeral Services following at 10:00 a.m., Graveside to be conducted at Peyton Cemetery, Peyton, CO and A Reception will be held following the graveside services at Living Word Community Church, located at 532 Colorado Ave, Calhan, CO 80808. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in William's name to Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements entrusted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery.