Walter Emery Ratliff (1928-2005)
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Posted: 02/12/05 - 12:38:45 am EST
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Walter Emery Ratliff, 76, of Ashland, Ky., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005.
He was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Stevens, Ky., a son of the late James Silas Ratliff and Eva Gillum Ratliff Salyers.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ballard Gene Ratliff.
Mr. Ratliff was the owner and president of Davis Equipment Co. Inc. in Ashland for 44 years. He graduated from Boyd County High School with honors in 1946, president of his class. After that, he worked for Sears & Roebuck Co. and also worked construction, building houses in the area for many years, before taking over at Davis Equipment Co. He retired in 1990 and devoted the rest of his life to his family, his garden and his genius tinkerings.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Irma Ratliff. Together they raised one son, Allen Ratliff, married to Betty Jo Ratliff. Mr. Ratliff is survived by two grandchildren, Jason and his wife, Brandy, of Ashland, and Jamie Ratliff of Georgetown, Ky.; two sisters, Alberta R. Davis of Rush, Ky., and Zelova I. Ross of Ashland; and many friends and family members.
Funeral services will be on Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Steen Funeral Home-Marshall Steen Chapel in Ashland and officiated by the Rev. James Cox.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Entombment will be in Rose Hill Burial Park Mausoleum.
