Dates
William Derrell Ritter, of San Angelo, lovingly known as Butch, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, at the age of 77. He was born on February 13, 1948, in Odessa, TX. Butch was raised by his grandparents, the late Wesley “Big Daddy” and Pernecia Ritter.
Butch attended school in Odessa and graduated from Odessa High School. While in school he met his lifelong friend, Ronnie Wheeler. Together they would pull pranks at school and around town.
Butch married the love of his life, Elsa Sarabia in San Angelo, TX on May 15, 2015. They lived in Odessa, TX until 2020 when they moved to San Angelo, TX.
Butch served in the United States Air Force. He worked on military bomber planes, and this is where he started honing his skills as a mechanic. He found peace outdoors and loved hunting and fishing. His sons will always cherish the time spent with him doing the things their dad loved and wanted to share with them. Butch cared deeply for his grandchildren and truly valued the moments he shared with them. He was strong-willed and determined to do things his own way. Butch was a hard-working man; he owned and operated his own mechanic shop for over 40 years. He will be remembered for his toughness, his work ethic, and the love he had for his wife and his family.
Butch is survived by his wife, Elsa Sarabia Ritter, of San Angelo; and his brother, Shorty Stokes (Linda) of Odessa, TX. He is also survived by his sons, William Aldo Ritter of Odessa, TX and Brian Kelly Ritter of Lubbock, TX and his stepchildren, Johnny D. Sarabia (Claudia) of Germany, Jamie S. Perez of San Angelo, TX, Sierra L. Perez of San Angelo, TX, Daniel T. Perez (Mallorie) of Austin, TX, and AJ Heinrich of San Angelo, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren, William Aldo Ritter (Chelsea) of San Antonio, TX, Gannon David Ritter Riiter of Corpus Christi, TX, Dawson Cole Ritter of Lubbock, TX, and London Frassine Stewart (Callen) of Lubbock, TX. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins that he loved dearly.
Butch was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wesley and Pernecia Ritter, his mother, Helen Mendiboure, his sisters, Nancy Hadley and Sandra Fiorenzi, and his brother, Mike Harris.
The Rosary vigil service will be 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Harper Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Harper Funeral Home. The burial will follow at Gooch Cemetery in Mason, Texas at 1:00 P.M.
Family and friends may share their condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.