Broadcaster Bill Ratliff's Death Brings Tribute

Remembrances for Tampa anchor, newsman, analyst and commentator Bill Ratliff give testment to the mark he made during his 40 years as a broadcaster. Ratliff died Tuesday at 63 after complications from surgery.

"News Channel 8 was not the same after you left," said a Winter Haven fan, in a tribute posted at Ratliff's online guest book.

• The attached YouTube video clip features Bill Ratliffin a discussion about the 50th anniversary of WFLA.

Ratliff's tenure at News Channel 8 was from 1982 to 2009; he won "numerous awards from news and social organizations," according to his online obituary.

"I loved watching Ratliff on the news," noted a woman from Port Richey. "He was truly one of a kind."

A story in tribute, written by Jeff Patterson and posted at Tbo.com, notes that Ratliff is remembered as the “consummate newsman,” with a broadcasting career spanning more than 40 years, including 27 years at WFLA, Channel 8. Before taking an early retirement in 2009, he was co-anchor and managing editor of the News Channel 8 morning newscasts.

After leaving WFLA, he worked as a political analyst and commentator on WTSP, Channel 10, in 2010 and 2011.

Funeral arrangements were pending. His surviving family includes his wife Linda; son Chet; daughter Shannon; and one grandchild.

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UPDATE:

Funeral services for former News Channel 8 anchor Bill Ratliff will be held on May 11, according to a TBO.com report based on the family's announcement.

A memorial Mass will begin at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Florida Avenue and Twiggs Street, in downtown Tampa. Ratliff, 63, died on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Ratliff's memory be made to All Children's Hospital or the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida.