William Joseph Ratley

Melbourne

William J. "Bill" Ratley passed away June 14, 2012, at Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Bill was born in South Bay, Florida in 1935, he graduated from Florida Southern College with his BA and Stetson University with his Masters in Education.

Early in his working career, Bill worked in the Apollo program at the Cape. Bill is a retired educator with Brevard County Schools finishing his 30 year career at DeLaura Middle School.

He was also well known as a local contractor and and taught wood shop for Brevard Community College. He continued his joy of wood working and vegetable gardening long into his retirement.

Bill was active in recent years with St. Paul's United Methodist Church and over the years was active in several local Baptist Churches.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Davis Ratley; daughters, Kimberly McKevitt and Jennifer Ratley; and two sisters, June Cantrell of Dothan, Alabama and Martha Williams of Melbourne, Florida; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Services will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Florida Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, Rockledge, Florida, at 11:00 AM with internment following.

The family encourages that, in lieu of flowers, a book be donated to the school library of your choice.