William S. Ringgold

William Sylvester Ringgold, known as Bill, was born on April 4, 1936, to John Merritt Sr. and Mary (Ringgold) Merritt in West Chester. He peacefully transitioned on October 5, 2024, with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by his side.

Bill received his early education from the West Chester School District and graduated from West Chester High School. After school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and traveled the world, visiting places like Turkey and Greece. He met the love of his life at England AFB in Alexandria, LA. After his military service, Bill moved to Chester, PA, and started a family.

Bill, he worked various jobs before attending college for two years. Where he focused on mechanical design and became a draftsman for Westinghouse, where he worked for many years. 

Bill's passion was renovating houses. He would buy them, fix them himself, and rent them out. Real estate brought him joy, and his happiest moments were spent working on his projects. Bill had been involved in real estate for over 50 years.

Bill's greatest love was his three daughters. He instilled in them respect, hard work, self- sufficiency, and the value of saving. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and the family patriarch. To anyone who knew him, Bill was always there in times of need or illness, offering unwavering support and love. His legacy of dedication and love for his family will be cherished forever.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Merritt Sr., and his brothers John Jr., Gilbert, Charles, and Isiah Merritt, as well as his grandson Travis Carter. He is survived by his loving daughters Yolanda (New Castle, DE), Katrina (Wilmington, DE), Ringgold, and Cheryl Lajoie (Rudolph) (Spring, TX), his sister Roseanne Towns (Chester, PA), six grandchildren: Brandon Wilson, Kiara and Briana Courtney, Sidney Ringgold, Michael Jr., and Ryan Cephas, and nine great-grandchildren, as well as a host of relatives and friends.