Billy Gene Rittenberry passed from this life on June 15, 2023, in Ridgely, TN.  Billy was born on January 4, 1951, to Nelda Faye Gunnels and James Henderson "Charlie" Rittenberry in Hayti, MO.  After leaving high school, Billy enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as part of his unit's maintenance ground crew.  His tenure in the Air Force saw him deployed for a short time during the Vietnam War.

Stationed in Arizona after the conflict in Vietnam ended, Billy became a father to son Michael Lynn Krohn in 1972.  After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Billy returned to his family home in Caruthersville.  On February 14, 1980, he was united in marriage to Linda Gail Moody.  Nine months later, the couple welcomed a son, Joshua Micah. Already stepfather to Gail's daughter Linda Michele, the family grew complete with the birth of son Samuel Russell in 1983.

Billy worked as a truck driver and carpenter before becoming an engineer for the Caruthersville Fire Department in 1991.  Health issues forced Billy to retire in 2002, but retirement did not slow him as he delved into his hobbies and interests: hunting, fishing, improvement projects around the house, meticulously maintaining his lawn, and bonding with his granddaughters and grand dogs and grand cats.

Although dementia robbed him of his day-to-day skills, Billy had fortunately passed on his knowledge of fixing, cooking, and cleaning on to his boys so they would grow into the self-sufficient men they are today, all the while remaining a constant and loyal companion to his wife of 43 years.  Billy was the epitome of a family man, whose family made him the proudest of all men.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Nelda Rittenberry, and a brother, Bobby Hayes.  Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Gail, son and daughter-in-law Josh and Tiffany Rittenberry, son and daughter-in-law Sam and Dawn Rittenberry, son-in-law and stepdaughter Sherman and Michele Manley, son Michael Krohn, grandchildren Cody Krohn, Taylor Rittenberry, and Lilly Rittenberry, sister Wanda Harper, brother Jack Handley, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Funeral services were held June 19, 2023, at John W. German Funeral Home with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayti, with military honors.  Pallbearers included Sherman Manley, Jr., Sherman Manley, III, Ronnie Moody, Chris Moore, Tony Smith, and Donnie Green.

John W. German Funeral Home of Hayti in charge of services.