William Millard Ramey, 89, Indianapolis, passed at 12:45 pm, September 10, 2018, at Community North Hospital after a long, valiant struggle against the effects of several strokes. Born in poverty in a small town in Tennessee, Oakdale, on July 13, 1929, Millard (as he was then known), son of Hubert Oliver Ramey and Ruth Cannon Ramey, worked and played hard, and especially loved his dog, “Bingo.” Rising from his first job at Pure Oil in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Bill was proud to work hard for his $0.15 per hour salary and bragged about it for his entire life. While his work ethic never wavered through the years, happily, his salary improved. At the University of Tennessee, where he learned to love “Rocky Top,” Bill joined the ROTC. After graduation in 1951, he entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant, serving in Korea for three years. He returned home from Korea to earn a MBA from Xavier University and joined General Electric. After 15 years with GE, moving to new locations as his promotions came, Bill took a job at Citizens Gas and Coke Utility (now Citizens Energy Group) and rose to the rank of Executive Vice President, a position he proudly held until his forced retirement from stroke at age 62. Always the life of the party, Bill was beloved for his hard work, his generosity, his fairness, and his sense of humor.
Bill was preceded by his loving wife, Merrell Ingram Ramey, beside whom he will rest, as well the older of his two older sisters, Anne Wachter. He is survived by the younger of his two older sisters, Lee Knowles. He has left an enormous pair of shoes for his children to fill: son, David William Ramey, and two daughters, Diane Ramey Turner and Laura Ramey Marble. His seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren will always have a sterling role model.
Visitation will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North, Friday, September 21, 2018, from 4 – 8 pm. Services will be held at Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park North on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 10:30 am, after which he will be laid to rest beside his beloved Merrell. The family would appreciate you sharing a memory of Bill on-line, or simply condolences, at www.flannerbuchanan.com
Bill gave freely to numerous charities. He loved his church, Northminster Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, the Kiwanis Club, and the Salvation Army. He would have been honored to know that donations were made in his name to any charity or organization that friends thought were worthy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor him by helping someone or some cause that you find special and also by never overcooking a good steak.
