William Cecil Ramsey Jr.

April 5, 1967 – September 22, 2025

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live forever, even after dying.” – John 11:25-26

William (Bill) Cecil Ramsey, Jr., 58, of Germantown, TN, passed from this life into the arms of our Lord in Heaven on September 22, 2025. Born in Springfield, OH, on April 5, 1967, to William Cecil Ramsey, Sr. and Wanda Faye Ramsey, Bill's family moved to Springfield, VA, in 1969, which he considered his hometown. He attended Robert E. Lee High School until the summer before his senior year when his family relocated to Germantown, TN, where he graduated from Germantown High School.

After high school, Bill attended The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Information Management Systems and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He spent most of his career in Memphis, TN, working in computer programming for several companies, including ServiceMaster, Shelby Systems, and Intellivo.

An avid sports enthusiast, Bill enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, and soccer throughout his school years and remained passionate about sports all his life. He was a devoted fan of the Ole Miss Rebels (Hotty Toddy) and the Washington Commanders.

While working at ServiceMaster, Bill met Leigh O’Kelly, and they married in April 2002. After experiencing several miscarriages, they were blessed with a daughter, Reese Ramsey, in 2004. Although Bill and Leigh divorced in 2010, they remained the best of friends and worked diligently to ensure their divorce had minimal impact on Reese. They co-parented closely, spending holidays and birthdays together with Reese, and even family vacations.

Bill was an amazing, loving, father whose greatest joy in life was his daughter, Reese. They shared a very close bond, similar sense of humor, and laughed together nonstop. He encouraged her to try new things, supported her in everything she did, and coached her softball teams for several years. Bill was so proud of Reese’s academic accomplishments – National Honor Society in high school, top scholarship offers from every college to which she applied, Dean’s List every semester of college, and scoring a 164 (85th percentile) on the LSAT. He was looking forward to attending her graduation from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in May and seeing her start law school next fall.

Bill was kind and caring, always willing to help anyone at any time. He was known for his great sense of humor, love for practical jokes, love for his family, and for always having a smile on his face. An easy-going, genuine, and loyal friend – everyone who met him was better for having known him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Cecil Ramsey, Sr. and Wanda Faye Ramsey. He is survived by his daughter, Reese Ramsey; sisters Kelly Moes (Don) and Lisa Ekstrom (Rick); ex-wife Leigh O’Kelly Boyle; mother-in-law Jan Phillips; sister-in-law Kristi Ray (Michael); nieces and nephews Shannon, Ricky, Connor, and Nikki, and numerous friends.

Friends and family are invited to Memphis Funeral Home at 5599 Poplar Avenue in Memphis on September 27, 2025, for a celebration of Bill’s life. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. with a memorial service at 4 p.m. Dress is casual and in Bill’s honor, please wear Ole Miss colors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County (memphishumane.org) or the American Heart Association (heart.org) in Bill’s memory.