William Ludlow Ritchie, Jr.

William L. Ritchie, Jr. (Bill), 80, of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 27, 2025. Bill was born on November 17, 1944 in Washington, DC to the late Brig. Gen. William L. Ritchie and Eleanor Preston Ritchie.

Bill's career was in telecommunications, but his true passion was for the arts and philanthropy. Bill had a generous spirit, and for years, he gave his voice to audiobook productions for Recording for the Blind, and he lent his singing voice to the Washington Revels and the Georgetown Chorale, as well as serving on their Boards. He was a frequent attendee and supporter of the Kennedy Center, and as a young man directed plays at a theater in Nantucket, MA, where he spent many happy summers with family. Bill was also proud to support medical technologies at Sibley Memorial Hospital that, as it turned out, he benefited from as a patient over the past year.

Bill enjoyed his family, friends, WWII history pertaining to events that his father participated in, and watching a variety of sports, especially NFL football and the Washington Commanders. He had a sense of humor that was always near the surface, which helped to keep him and those around him feeling positive.

Bill is survived by his sister, Louise Ritchie Beale (John), nieces Sarah (Brady Demarest), Katharine, and Christina Beale, and two grandnieces. They along with many other family members and friends will miss him, his gentle nature, and his trademark sense of humor.

**SERVICE DATE HAS CHANGED, SEE BELOW FOR CORRECT DATE AND TIME**

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Church of the Little Flower, 5607 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD 20816 on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 10:00a.m; with a visitation before starting at 9:00AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill's name to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad (https://www.bccrs.org)