Paul Blair Ritter, Sr., 91, of Hartsville, SC died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in Hartsville, SC. He was born June 18, 1920 in Hall, WV a son of the late Mr. E. W. and Mary M. Ritter and a stepmother Lucy B. Ritter. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Pauline Malcolm Ritter; brothers, LaVere Ritter, Ralph Ritter; sisters, Dorothy Barker, Faith Edwards, Beatrice Killingsworth, and Maxine Lucille Ritter. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald L. (Viola) Ritter of Arroyo Grande, CA, Paul B. (Johanna) Ritter, Jr. of Hall, WV, Michael L. (Judy) Ritter of Elkins, WV; daughters and sons-in-law, Sondra Sue (Thomas) Gay of Danville, VA, Thelma (James) Sisson of Hartsville, SC; brother, Jennings Ritter of Wilmington, DE; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. Mr. Ritter was a member of the U. S. Marine Corps and was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Bigelow Masonic Lodge #52 of Philippi, the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Clarksburg District of West Virginia, the Nemesis Shrine of Parkersburg, and the Order of the Eastern Star of Philippi. He owned and operated B & R Ford in Buckhannon, WV for over 28 years. Private family burial will be at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Philippi, WV with Bigelow Masonic Lodge # 52 AF & AM conducting Masonic Rites and the Buckhannon VFW Post #3663, Frank B. Bartlett Post # 7 American Legion and DAV Chapters #5 and #36 conducting military honors at the graveside. A memorial service will be held 2 PM on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at Bethany Baptist Church, Hall, WV, with the Rev. Craig Marshall officiating. The family will receive friends following the service the church. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Chesterfield County, P.O. Box 293, Chesterfield, SC 29709. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
