LCDR William Henry "Speed" Ritzmann, Jr., USN (Retired), age 76, of Lake City, FL. and former Orange Park, FL. resident passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. LCDR Ritzmann was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1932 to the late William Henry Ritzmann Sr. and Louise Kahm Ritzmann. At the age of 18, Ritzmann enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country proudly for over 20 years as a naval carrier pilot. Ritzmann was a Vietnam veteran with as many as 168 combat flights and was awarded 16 Air Medals, numerous commendations and service ribbons. Additionally, LCDR Ritzmann and his squadron were chosen by 20th Century Fox as the pilots of the aircraft flown in the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Following his exemplary military service LCDR Ritzmann entered the civilian workforce and retired from his second career as a systems analyst at Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) in Jacksonville, FL.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Lawana Wetherington Ritzmann, Lake City, FL.; one son and daughter-in-law, William H. Ritzmann, III and his wife Meg of Altamonte Springs, FL.; one daughter and son-in-law, Lorena Ritzmann Regan and her husband Larry D. Regan of Park City, Utah; one brother, Edward Albert Ritzmann, Malone, NY and his wife Jan; two grandchildren, Alexander and Erika Ritzmann.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, FL., with Rev. Roger Hutto officiating. Interment followed at Evergreen Cemetery, Jasper, FL.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to NMCRS or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203-1977 or American Cancer Society, 2119 SW 16th St. Gainesville, FL. 32608.