Bill Ritger, R.I.P.

[lsf]

I spoke with Claudia today and the memorial services for Bill are Jan. 20 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 413 S. 2nd St, Watertown Wi. 53094. Visitation 10:30 - 11:30, service at 11:30. Yeah I miss him too. David

[KBOlsen]

Times like these, ya gotta wonder what the good Lord is thinking...

Things will never be quite the same.

Godspeed, Bill... you were an absolute class act and one of a kind.  My heart goes out to Claudia and their family.

[bills_neice_kelly]

Times like these, ya gotta wonder what the good Lord is thinking...

Things will never be quite the same.

Godspeed, Bill... you were an absolute class act and one of a kind.  My heart goes out to Claudia and their family.

You guys are really making me tear up as I read all the wonderful posts about Bill. I know how much the safety crew meant to him, and I am so lucky to have shared this pasttime with him. Some of you I know, some of you I don't. But I know that Bill and Claudia touched people everywhere they went. They are the coolest people I've ever known, and I am lucky enough to be related to them.

I hope to meet more of you at the funeral. We have collected over $500 for Claudia so far, and most of those donations have come from this forum. I know that I had fun working with you guys at the races, I can't imagine what Claudia and Bill have felt having you all as friends.

I did so much crying and had so much anger after I saw him in his last days in his bed, but now I know that he is somewhere better and looking upon all of us. It makes me feel warm and better to know he's not suffering. It was the absolute worst thing I've ever seen to see him in his bed at home. But this is the first tragedy in my family... we have been lucky enough to not have any deaths so far. Why it had to start with him, I don't know. But now I know I have someone to pray to, to talk to and to guide me through the rest of my life. Bill is a fantastic person and I think he will be a great guide for me, my husband and my children. I will never ever forget him. I idolize and envy what him and Claudia have had and will base my marriage on what I have seen and adored of those two. They are a prime example of a soul mate, best friend and confidant.

Man, I love them. I will continue to have good times with Claudia because she defintely has a special place in my heart as my mother's sister... but Claudia and Bill together were nothing like I've ever seen. What spirit they had, what a bond they had, how beautiful their relationship was. They were the best of friends and I have never, ever seen them fight in my 29 years of life.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I've idolized them. To me, they are the coolest people on earth. Why the hell did they have to take Bill? It's just so not fair. It happened so fast that the only words we were able to speak to each other were "I love you". I thank God for that, but what I would give to be able to sit with Bill for an hour or two and tell him all of the things I've wanted to tell him. He has had such a huge impact on my life. What a great role model.

For all of you who have worked with him, had beers with him and have memories with him... we all know how lucky we are to have known him.

It's such a sad time. A good guy has been taken by such a nasty disease. Damn cancer, damn it.

I hope this gives everyone motivation to donate to cancer causes. Cancer picks out no one. It can strike the healthiest person. In fact, I have a 29 year old girlfriend who has colon cancer... 4th stage. Can you believe it? She doesn't even have that run in her family! Nor is she the age range for this type of cancer.

Cancer freakin' Sucks.

God I miss Bill. I will forever cherish those last moments I had with him. He kissed my 4 month old baby, he kissed me, and he told us he loved us.

The saddest thing I've ever had to deal with.

Bill was so great. 

Thanks for listening to me. Damn.

[chaplain220]

I took this post of chaplain to offer encouragement and comfort to all of you, and here again, I find myself speechless and inspired by the love and support freely given by all of you to Bill's family and as a testimony of a life that has touched so many others.  From track to forum, you are some of the finest folks I will ever walk along side of in this life.  To kelly and Bills many friends I offer you this...For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18.  Death marks the starting grid, not the checkered flag.  Art.

[EX#996]

Thanks, Art.

[roadracer690]

RIP
You will be missed by all of us...

[ssduc750]

Although I never met him, the way everyone here is writing of him and their memories, I fell that it is my loss.
Rest in Peace. As long as he is remembered and spoken of, he will never truly be gone.

[catman]

AS a newbie generally i havent heard the K3's, spydies etc speak so highly , my donation is to a motorcyclist who lived for motorcycyclists all his life!------------------  to his family, recognize his fellow fellow followers - GIGANTIC  LOVE - ADMIRATION  peace to him that i never new till now! john in NJ 

[Roger_Lyle]

Wow! Bill is gone. That is a hard pill to swallow. I heard the news on www.roadracingworld.com, Jan. 10. I could not do anything on Thursday but grieve. I  first met Bill and Claudia in about 1990 when they joined the Daytona 200 Safety Crew to cornerwork the races.  I was the safety director and looking for talent. Riding to the spedway on their bikes, They were always on time and ready to go, with smiles on! We could always count on both to be captains. Soon they graduated to the control tower to assist in the operations there. Claudia went from assistant  starter to being the starter! They took that experience back to Wisconsin and formed the heart of the Midwest Safety Crew, along with some other fantastic people you know.  Bill took my place as the Formula USA National Safety Director, and was on top of the game!  We had some good times, every time.     

I was driving home Wed. nite, looking at a beautiful starry nite on I-70 west to Hagerstown, Md. , I saw a SHOOTING STAR and made a wish. It was spectacular! Later that night I read Gorde's post on RRW.com and it hit me hard..... then I realized the shooting star was at the same time as Bill's passing!....Godspeed Bill, going out on a shooting star!   

To Claudia, Kelly, and the whole family, God Bless You,  be strong and cherish the memories. Bill will always be in your heart  and your smile.

Love and Peace,
Roger Lyle

[riderupred]

R.I.P. Bill. He will be greatly missed. He truely was a great man with a heart of gold. We are truely sorry for your loss Claudia. You will always be in our prayers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  With lots of love and respect,  Erick McCormick and Jennifer Grube                                   

[dylanfan53]

It's so hard to read all these posts.
Bill was a class act.  He had our respect and gratitude and will be missed.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.   

[Bob Ritger]

To all of you that have visited, written or otherwise contacted us regarding Bill's tough battle we cannot tell you how much this has meant to our family.  It has done so much to know that so many people have been touched by Bill and to hear how those touched appreciated Bill's love for the sport and helping people.  This has been a very tough time for our family and we have been helped tremendously by all of the support shown through this forum.  To this we can only say THANK YOU and please don't forget Bill and his quest for safety.  We also ask that you keep giving Claudia support as we are sure you will.

May your track always remain green and your corners be clear, staffed and ready.

Bob & Ellen Ritger (Brother and Sister In-law)
Mary Ritger (Mother).