Email
Print
Retiring Ratliff says goodbye to WFLA viewers, colleagues
Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ
After 27 years at WFLA, the 60-year-old Ratliff is taking an early retirement. His final morning newscast was today.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: June 25, 2009
Updated: 06/25/2009 09:46 am
Related Links
Longtime WFLA morning anchor Bill Ratliff signed off today by thanking the viewers, his co-workers and family for 27 "wonderful years" at News Channel 8.
"I want to thank all the viewers who have been so supportive of me. I can't tell you want it has meant to me," Ratliff said on his final morning newscast.
He said the e-mails, letters and public response to his retirement is overwhelming. "I don't have the words to say, except 'thank you'," he said. "God bless you all."
Co-anchor Gayle Guyardo narrated some clips of Ratliff over the years and engaged in lighthearted ribbing of the 60-year-old. She broke a promise to him not to cry and gave him a hug at the close of the newscast.
"You will be missed," she said.
After the sign-off, Ratliff was given an informal send-off party in the newsroom. News director Don North gave him a book about the history of television in Cincinnati (Ratliff's hometown) and a bottle of Dom Periginon champagne.
News Channel 8 anchors Gayle Sierens and Keith Cate came to say goodbye, and there was a surprise visit from retired anchor Bob Hite. "How could I miss this after all we have been through?" said Hite, who lives in Colorado.
Ratliff and Hite recalled their stint as co-anchors on the 6 p.m. news in the 1980s that Ratliff says was a ratings disaster, "but we have so much fun." They shared some anchor desk stories about clowning around on the set.
Ratliff choked up as he told the staff that he would miss them and when he thanked his wife, Linda, and his children for their support. Linda and his son Chet were by his side today. He also thanked co-anchor Guyardo and the other morning show team members, meteorologist Jennifer Hill and traffic reporter Alicia Roberts.
Comparing it to a second family, he said the morning team shared a lot of fun moments and a tragedy (the death of meteorologist John Winter in 2007).
Guyardo called Ratliff the "consummate professional" who was always there for her. Ratliff said Guyardo had taught him how to loosen up and have fun on the morning newscast that they have co-anchored for more than 15 years.
Ratliff chose to take an early retirement after turning down a contract with a reduced salary. He has said his severance package will allow him to take a year off to consider new career options.
"I will be staying in Tampa; we love it here," he said.
Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2009 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. | Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
