William Ratty

William Raymond Ratty was born to this earth on July 21, 1952 and left us on September 30, 2002.  He grew up on the south end of Kansas City in the post-war Ruskin Heights neighborhood, site of the historic Ruskin tornado of 1957.    Bill married Debra Skoff in 1978.   He was stepfather to her son, Mark Woods.   Bill and Debra celebrated 44 years of marriage this past summer.  Bill made his living as a flooring contractor in and around Kansas City.  During the time the family lived in Rich Hill, Bill was frequently on the sidelines at Rich Hill football games cheering for Mark and cajoling the coaches and officials. Bill was an avid Chiefs fan and fisherman, so much so that to many he was known simply as “Catfish.” Bill & Debi spent 20 years in Flagler Beach, Florida before returning to Missouri in 2012 in order to be closer to their families. Bill is survived by his mother, Norma Nation of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; his wife, Debra of Adrian, Missouri; his step-son, Mark Woods of Palm Coast, Florida; his sister, Carol Overton of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; his brother, Chuck Nation of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.