Mr. William "Hump" Ratcliff's Obituary
William Ray Ratcliff was bom on November 4, 1961 in Meridian, MS to Amos Alton Ratcliff, Sr. and the late Geraldine Ratcliff. He was the third child of seven, and came to be known by everyone as "Hump." On Wednesday evening, June 14, 2017, surrounded by his family at Rush Foundation Hospital, God called our dearly, beloved son and brother home. William was educated in the Meridian Public School System. He remained in Meridian where he spent the majority of his life doing odd jobs. He was a devoted partner, son, nephew, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. "Hump" never met a stranger, and was loved by everyone who crossed his path. Everyone that knew "Hump," knew that he had a passion for dancing, and if you ever had the pleasure of being entertained by "Hump and Alice" on the dance floor, it was an experience you will never forget. His favorite scripture was Psalms 23. His mother, Geraldine Ratcliff; grandmothers, Clemie Hodges and Mittie Jordan; grandfathers, Willie Hodges and Jimmy Lee Ratcliff; aunts, Gladys Dunlap and Hazel Patton; and his stepmother, Lucille Ratcliff, preceded William in death. William leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted lifelong partner, Alice Townsend; his father Amos Ratcliff, Sr.; brothers and sisters, Amos Alton Ratcliff, Jr., Michael A. Ratcliff (Dorothy), Kenneth R. Ratcliff, Alicia K. Smoot (Malcolm), Rhonda Y. Ratcliff (Douglas),Antonio L. Ratcliff (Jackie) all of Meridian, MS; stepsisters, Tammy Nickles (David) and Vonda Osby (Albert) both of Meridian, MS; step-brother, A/gene Osby,Jr. of Sacramento, CA; Alice's children, Mary McClelland, Tawana McClelland, Sherry McClelland, and Ozie Townsend; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?