Willard F. Ratz, 95, Valley Falls, died Friday, July 29, 2011, at LinnWood Park Assisted Living in Valley Falls,
He was born on Nov. 15, 1915, at Valley Falls, the son of Fred A. and Vesta L. Knowlton Ratz. He attended schools in Valley Falls and Ozawkie before graduating from Sharyland High School in Mission, TX in 1934. He later attended a radio engineering and design program in Chicago, IL
During WW II Willard served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941-1945. He served with a B-17 bomber crew as a radio operator and aerial gunner as well as doing engine and radio maintenance. He parachuted from a B-17 and was a prisoner of war in Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals.
In 1948 Willard was employed by the U.S. Navy Electronic Supply Office at Great Lakes, IL. He transferred to the U.S. Naval Electronics System Command in Washington, D.C. in 1966 where he was in charge of purchasing maintenance parts to provide support for newer Naval electronic equipment. Willard retired in 1972, lived in Shell Knob, MO, from 1973 until he moved to Valley Falls in 2001.
In 1951 he became an Amateur Radio Operator. He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Community United Methodist Church at Shell Knob, MO.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Velma Lucille Trexler. Survivors include a nephew, Larry (Ruth) Trexler, Palm Springs, FL.
The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, at the Valley Falls Cemetery with military honors by Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, VFW. Visitation will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County EMS District 11 and sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.