John Billy Ratliff

John Billy (Bill) Ratliff, 90, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was the seventh of nine children born to Earnest Glendon and Flora Gertrude Minor Ratliff near Stanton and raised in the small community of Pletcher in Chilton County, Alabama.

At age 17, he came to Montgomery and began a career as an electrician. He was a member of Local 443 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and recently received a service award pin for 70 years. He retired from the City of Montgomery’s HVAC Department in 2004 with 18 years’ service.

Bill was predeceased by his parents; five brothers, Willard, S.B., Junior, Cecil, and Woody; two sisters, Margie Gilliland and Pauline Payton. He is survived by one sister, Jean Tatum, and several nieces and nephews.

The love of his life was the girl next door after he came to Montgomery. He courted Harlan Ann Kimbro and they were married June 1, 1956. To their union was born a daughter, Terri Michele, and a son, Tommy Mizell Ratliff. Their spouses are Michael Taylor and Barbara Ratliff.

Bill was blessed to be “Papa” to seven grandchildren, (twins) Sarah Kate Taylor Moore (Dustin) and Kristian Taylor (Rachel); (twins) Anna Beth and Amanda Cox (James), Sydney Taylor, Trevor Ratliff (Miranda) and Travis Ratliff (Jordon) and three great-grandsons, Dawson Moore, Denver Moore and Brooks Cox; two great granddaughters, Quinn Taylor and Adalynn Moore.

Funeral services will be held at Leak Memory Chapel in Montgomery on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Reverend Tommy Fike officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Sabrina Scott for her kind compassion in Bill's last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dalraida Baptist Church or your favorite charity.