Elmer Lloyd "Lee" Ratliff, 77, of Hodgenville, passed away to join the Lord, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at Hardin Memorial Hospital. Lee was born on July 27, 1935, in Grundy, Va.Lee was a retired Army veteran, he served in Korea and Germany and retired from the Army in 1977. He worked at Fort Knox as a civilian and gave a total of 35 years to his country. He was a member of American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the National Rifle Association and a retired civil servant.Lee enjoyed the simple things in life and was a kind and caring Christian. He would often be seen ringing the Christmas bell for the Salvation Army at Wal-Mart in Elizabethtown. He loved his family and his country with all his heart and loved bluegrass music.Lee was a Christian and read his Bible every day. He and his loving wife of 56 years, Josephine, attended First Baptist Church in Hodgenville. He will be missed and in the hearts of his family and those who knew him. His memory will be cherished by all. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Josephine, the mother of his three sons: Michael and his special friend, Gerlinda; Tim and his wife Lita; and Ted and his wife Mary Ann; four grandchildren, Jason, Nathan, Jonathon and Claire Ratliff; and two great grandchildren, Bella and Henry Ratliff.The funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel of Dixon-Atwood & Trowbridge Funeral Home in Elizabethtown with Rev. Jason Ratliff officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central.Visitation is 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday; and after 9 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A DAV service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.To express an online condolence and light a memory candle, visit www.dixonatwood.com. Dixon-Atwood & Trowbridge Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.