August 16, 1936-December 8, 2025
William Roark “Bill” Ratliff passed away on December 8, 2025, in his home in Mount Pleasant, Texas, surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 16, 1936, to Bess and Tom Ratliff of Sonora and Eldorado, Texas. Bill was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Texas at Austin.
From 1989-2003 he represented Senate District 1 in the Texas Senate. From 2000-2003 he served as the 40th Lt. Governor of Texas. In 2005, as a result of his public service, he was a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage award.
He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, and was respected by all who crossed his path in his 89 years of a life well lived. His life could be summed up in the phrase, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, who was the love of his life, Sally Sandlin Ratliff. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Bess & Tom Ratliff, his mother and father-in-law, True & Bob Sandlin, his brother-in-law, Joe Sandlin, and his sister-in-law, Gay Ratliff.
He is survived by his children, Bess & Mike Yeary, Beccy & Bennett Ratliff, and Stacy & Thomas Ratliff; his brother, Shannon Ratliff, his brother and sister-in-law, Jack & Claire Ratliff, and his sister-in-law Sue Sandlin; his grandchildren, Rachael & Will Ratliff, Thomas Ratliff, Maggie & Keenan Weiss, Tyler Hargrave, Meaghan & Grant Hargrave, Kelly & Harrison Hargrave, Spencer Woodcock & Sara Ratliff, and Taylor Ratliff; his 9 great grandchildren, as well as his nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, December 10th, 2pm, with a burial to follow at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, on Thursday, December 11th, at 2 pm.
Family, friends, and well-wishers are invited to join in the celebration of life at one or both services.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Work4College Program at Northeast Texas Community College. Checks can be made payable and mailed to: NTCC Foundation, PO Box 1307, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456. Online donations at: http://ntcc.edu/givenow, designation: Work4College Online registry is available at www.batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com
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