Ratcliffe, George Calvin

George Calvin Ratcliffe of Pilot, Virginia went to sleep in Jesus Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the age of 97. After several months of declining health, George died with his family by his side.

George was born in Snowville, Virginia on August 22, 1924, to Waddy and Nannie (Roop) Ratcliffe. The oldest of five sons, George was self-educated and diligently worked on the family farm. George’s work ethic and dedication to life-long learning was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. As a young man his family moved to Pilot in 1943 where he met Dorothy Leigh Bond. They married in 1948. George was a body and fender mechanic and retired from Holiday Ford as the body shop manager. George was a faithful member of the Seventh-day Adventist church for 69 years and spent his spare time gardening and woodworking.

George was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mildred Peek and Mary Moorhead; brothers Roy Ratcliffe, Harry Ratcliffe, Bob Ratcliffe, and Terry Ratcliffe; and great-granddaughter Lorelei Felix. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; children Barbara (Jerry) Willis and Calvin (Anita) Ratcliffe; grandchildren Lisa (Steven) Craig, Leslie (Brian) Tutwiler, Ashley Felix, and Matthew Seymour; sisters Sue (George) Kouzoures and Nancy Altice; and eight great-grandchildren.

A visitation for George is planned for Friday, June 3, 2022, from 6 to 8 pm at Horne Funeral Home, 1300 N. Franklin Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073. The funeral will be held Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 3 pm, at Horne Funeral Home, with a graveside service at Sunset Cemetery immediately following.