Joe Ritchie

Lieutenant Colonel William Joseph “Joe” Ritchie, US Air Force, Retired, Obituary

Lieutenant Colonel William Joseph "Joe" Ritchie, US Air Force, Retired, of Glade Valley, North Carolina, passed away at age 84 on Friday, April 4th, 2025 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta, North Carolina.

Joe was born September 17th, 1940, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to the late Marvin Banks and Mary Elizabeth Williams Ritchie. He was preceded in death by his son, William Franklin "Bill" Ritchie, and his brother, Marvin Banks Ritchie, Jr.

A 1958 graduate of Greensboro Senior High School, Joe excelled in both academics and athletics, earning three varsity letters each in baseball and football.  During their junior year, he met his high school sweetheart, Judith “Judy” Lea. They married in a snowstorm on Christmas Day in 1962 and would share over 62 years of married life.

Joe earned an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1962), an MBA from Central Michigan University (1976), and a graduate diploma from the National War College of the National Defense University (1984).

Graduating college in 1962, Joe embarked on a 26-year active-duty career as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.  Following navigator flight training in Waco, Texas, he served at numerous bases throughout the United States. Achieving the designation of Master Navigator, he amassed over 8,000 flying hours, including 1,000 combat hours, and traveled to nearly every country on earth while flying the C-130 Hercules and C-141 Starlifter. During the Vietnam War, Joe served with the USAF 16th Special Operations Squadron based at Ubon Royal Thai AB, Thailand, flying the AC-130 Spectre gunship in Southeast Asia.

Following his years in the cockpit, Joe transitioned to key airlift leadership positions at Headquarters Military Airlift Command, notably serving as Strategic Airlift Director and Chief of the Special Airlift Branch. In these capacities, he managed both contingency support missions as well as airlift support for the President and Secret Service. A decorated aviator, Joe's distinguished flying career garnered numerous honors and medals. His exemplary contributions in airlift leadership were further acknowledged with commendations from the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for his service during various crises and contingencies. Joe retired from active duty in the Air Force on September 30, 1990, at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

After military retirement, Joe dedicated his efforts to assisting fellow disabled veterans. He served as an outreach program specialist with the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, facilitating their transition to civilian life and helping them secure employment. 

He and Judy also pursued their passion of developing the family farm, nestled in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway. For over 20 years, families would drive from as far away as Florida to choose a Fraser Fir tree to take home and display in the holiday season.  Nothing gave Joe greater joy than seeing the smiles on the faces of the many children who roamed his family farm, delighting in the excitement of choosing their family Christmas tree.   

A devoted lifelong servant of God, Joe joined Christ Church of Sparta, North Carolina, in 1998 and was instrumental in its development, serving in many capacities for over 25 years.  A humble man with a gentle spirit, always seen with a toothpick in his mouth, Joe enjoyed many things: storytelling, classical music, western novels and movies, Carolina sports, Atlanta Braves baseball, fishing, long drives on the Blue Ridge parkway (and to the casinos!), and working on the farm. He leaves a legacy of service and love as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Survivors are his wife of over 62 years, Judith Lea Ritchie of the home; a son, Paul Alexander Ritchie of Thailand; a daughter, Barbara Lynn Ritchie and her husband, Stephen White, of England; a grandson, Riley Niven, of Fuquay-Varina, NC; two step-granddaughters: Bronwyn White and her husband, Cesar Thielen, of Wendell, NC, and Saabrah White of Raleigh, NC; and a step-great-grandson, Luca Thielen-White of Wendell, NC.  Joe was also blessed with a loving extended family, including: Diane and John, Lea and Michael, Gardner and Naomi, Susan, Todd and Elena, Sally and Owen, Laura lea and John, and lifelong friends Charlie and Liddy.

A memorial service to honor Joe’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, at Christ Episcopal Church, with Reverend Martha Honaker officiating, followed by full military honors. A reception will be held in the parish hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, PO Box 1866, Sparta, NC 28675 or to a charity of one's choice.

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