Roy Ratliff

Oct. 27, 1925– Dec. 4, 2024

 

Roy Summers Ratliff, 99, of Ironton, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at his son’s residence in Barboursville, West Virginia. He was born on Oct. 27, 1925, in Henry County, Kentucky to his late parents, Roy Ratliff and Ada Nichols Ratliff.

He was preceded in death on April 12, 2012, by his loving wife, Betty Byrd Ratliff, whom he married in 1959.

Roy volunteered to join the Army Air Corp at the age of 18, during the height of World War II. He was credited with 30 missions flown during the war (ball turret gunner on B-17 bomber).

He received a Bachelor of Business degree from Ohio State University where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta.

Roy and his father bought the iconic Central Hardware and Furniture in 1950, and sold it in 2018, he continued to work there for 68 years and retired in 2019.

He was a long-time member of Central Christian Church in Ironton. Roy was chairman of the Elders at Central Christian Church for over 20 years, he served on the Board of Trustees at Kentucky Christian College for 33 years and taught Sunday School for over 50 years.

Roy was an avid golfer.

He was Honorary Grand Marshall of Ironton’s 150th Memorial Day Parade.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Doris Hadden and Jean Mootz.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, David S. Ratliff (Sara Beth), of Barboursville, West Virginia; his daughter, Rebecca R. Howell (William D.), of Huntington, West Virginia; his grandchildren, David Nathaniel Ratliff, of Barboursville, West Virginia, Morgan Summers Lamberth, of Cottontown, Tennessee, John Summers Ratliff, of Barboursville, West Virginia, Lauren Rebecca George, of Portland, Connecticut, Christian Honaker Ratliff, of Barboursville, West Virginia, and Madeline Ruth McNeel, of Cincinnati; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be noon Saturday at Central Christian Church, 1541 S. 7th St. Ironton, with Minister, Willie Purdee officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Memorial fund at Central Christian Church, 1541 S. 7th St. Ironton, Oh 45638.

Please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net to offer condolences to the family.