Charles "Bill" W. Ritter

Mr. Charles William “Bill” Ritter, born March 16th, 1930, passed away in his sleep on December 22, 2014. He is survived by his wife Linda Sue Ritter, brother Robert Ritter, FL., children Grace Ann Stinson, Pamela Sue Thurmond (Tim), Charles William Ritter II, and Christopher Douglas Ritter (Patrina), ten grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

After high school, Mr. Ritter served his country in the Army as a Corporal of the Band, during the occupation of post-war Germany. While stationed there, the seeds of his calling were sown. He studied with a renown clarinest in Stutgart Germany and so began his lifelong pursuit of music. Upon returning from duty, he pursued higher education and graduate studies to become a teacher and band leader from the University of Dayton, Ohio.

Bill served as Professor of Music at the University of Dayton from 1963 to 1973. Through the years he taught at every scholastic level and conducted for local civic and church events. He moved to Georgia in 1980 and earned prestige in his tenure at Northeast High School, where he led the band to become both regionally and nationally recognized, marching in both the Savannah Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In Savannah, his band won 1st place and he led the parade for the following three years. He taught in Bibb County Schools until his retirement from Northeast High School in 1992.

His family and friends will miss his humor and intelligence, his sly smiles and his heart which was filled with love. He now conducts symphonies for the Lord.

Funeral services will be held at 1 o’clock on Saturday, December 27th, in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Rev. Eric Bell will officiate. Burial will follow in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock.

“The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old. But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band. I am the living legacy to the leader of the band.”

Visit www.maconmp.com to express tributes.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of arrangements.