Kid Rock recently shared the sad news that his father, Bill Ritchie, has died. Ritchie was 82 years old. His cause of death was prostate cancer, but he fought a good fight for 14 years. He died on Thursday February 15, 2024
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Rock broke the news of his father’s death on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “My Dad, Bill Ritchie Sr, moved on to be with Jesus yesterday. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so much more, none shy of being quite the character! Thank you for your condolences in advance. God Bless you and I love you Pop!”
My Dad, Bill Ritchie Sr, moved on to be with Jesus yesterday. He was an incredible father, grandfather, great grandfather, and so much more, none shy of being quite the character! Thank you for your condolences in advance. God Bless you and I love you Pop! -Bob Ritchie…
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Rock, whose birth name is Robert Ritchie, also linked to a YouTube video of his song “Drinking Beer With Dad.”
Rock’s brother, Billy Ritchie Jr., spoke to the Detroit Free Press about his late father. According to Ritchie Jr., his father was at his home in Florida at the time of his death. He passed away peacefully.
Ritchie’s career was as an auto dealer in Detroit. He owned Crest Lincoln-Mercury in Sterling Heights, and at one time he was the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) representative to the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Current DADA executive director Rod Alberts called Ritchie “spellbinding in a meeting” and an “inspirational speaker.” He added, “I thought the world of him.”
In the 1990s, Ritchie retired, sold his dealership, and moved to Florida where he bought a home in Charlevoix and Jupiter.
Rock didn’t always get along with his father. He declined the opportunity to work at his dad’s dealership and instead focused on his musical aspirations. Rock later credited his father for giving him a strong work ethic which ultimately helped him achieve his goals and dreams. Ritchie and his wife, Susan, often attended their son’s shows when he was in town.
Ritchie is survived by his wife, Susan Ritchie, his four children, daughters Carol Ritchie and Jill Haas and sons Billy Ritchie Jr. and Robert Ritchie (Kid Rock). He is also survived by three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.