Bill Ratliff

William Darr Ratliff Sr. was born September 16th 1935 to Samuel Darr Ratliff and Jewel Rowe Ratliff and passed on February 4th 2025 in Marble Falls Tx. Bill grew up in Victoria Texas. In his earlier years his professions included Police Officer for the City of Victoria and a Mechanic and later a Sales Representative for Killabrew Dodge. On June 15th 1957, Bill and Margie E. Wendel married and together had five children. Sammy, Keith, Billy, Mindy and Teresa.

After falling in love with their favorite vacation getaway, the Ratliff family decided to put their roots down in the Hill Country in 1978. The Family purchased the Sportsmans Lodge and opened Aqua Sports Marine Center in Marble Falls Texas. This move marked the beginning of many long standing relationships with friends and customers that continue to this day.

In 1986 the marine business was moved to Granite Shoals Texas and renamed R/T Marine. Co-owning the business with Billy, Bill lead the business with sales of Mercury engines alongside his daughter Mindy leading the Finance department. Together they shared an office for over ten years. Along with ownership, his son Billy leads the Service Department and will follow in his Father's footsteps by taking over ownership of the business and heading the Sales Department. Bills oldest son Sammy has worked alongside Bill for the entirety of R/T Marines lifespan, as the lead mechanic. In recent years Billy Jr’s son Michael has joined the family business as a mechanic, and Sammy’s daughter Megan has stepped into the service department.

At the time of Bills passing, three generations worked side by side and held together the dream of a real mom and pop establishment that Bill dreamed of. Together as a family they would meet everyday to provide a cohesive working environment and customer service experience rarely seen by such a longstanding business. Although Bill would have turned 90 this year, there were no signs of him considering retiring. His had a tenacious will to provide a sales experience that was molded by years of knowledge, hard work and relationships built with every single one of his customers and others in the Marine Industry. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends that he has cherished throughout his years.

Bill had a great passion for motorcycles and often relived the stories of his youth daredevil days on two wheels. Memories of his boating days carried on into his older years with his love of fishing. Bill and his son Billy, and often times his son-in-law Don, would make trips to his favorite areas of the coast including Port Mansfield, Rockport and Louisiana whenever possible. Bill also enjoyed being outside and doing yard work and took much pride in his gardening.

Bill is survived by his five children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Sammy and wife Mary, their daughters Sarah and Megan. Keith and his wife Laura and their daughter Peyton. Billy and his wife Candy and their children Sabrina and Michael. Mindy and her husband Don and their children Mitch and Amber. Teresa and her husband Wes and their sons Colton, Carson and Cameron. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Ratliff McClung and Brother-in-law Sid McClung, along with his two nieces and one nephew.