of Batesville, AR

November 30, 1927 - July 6, 2014

Major Willie Ray Richardson, USAF (Retired), known as ''Bill'' to his many friends, died in Batesville on Sunday morning, July 6, 2014, after being diagnosed recently with leukemia. He was 86 years old.

Bill was born on Nov. 30, 1927 in Melbourne to the late I.B. and Annie H. Richardson. He grew up in the town, attended Melbourne High School, and was a graduate of the Class of 1946. He attended Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) and received an Associate degree in 1948. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was accepted into an officer and pilot training program in 1954, after which he flew jet fighter and trainer aircraft. Retiring from the Air Force as a Major after a 20-year career in 1968, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he began a second career as a deputy in the Shelby County Sherriff's Department. After his final retirement in 1993, he remained in Memphis until returning to Arkansas in 2011. He was a long-time member of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Memphis, and a current member of Calvary Baptist Church in Batesville.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Lorene Richardson (née Miller) of Batesville, his son Ray E. Richardson (Nanette) of Herndon, Virginia, and three grandchildren, Philip M. Richardson (Katherine) of Waynesboro, Virginia, Meredith C. Richardson of Dresden, Germany, and Rebecca E. Richardson of Herndon, a brother, John E. Richardson of Portland, Oregon, a brother-in-law, Wesley Miller of Sage, Arkansas, a sister-in-law, Lera Richardson of Oklahoma City, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and four sisters.

The funeral will be at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home on Saturday, July 12, 2014 with a viewing beginning at noon, followed by a service at 2:00 pm. Rev. Bo Grace of Broadmoor Baptist will officiate. Pallbearers will be Philip Richardson, Douglas Miller, Daniel Miller, Calvin Jernigan, Charles Phillips, and Edward Phillips. Honorary pallbearers will be Wesley Miller, John Bennett, John Guthrie, Donald Helm, James Bryant, John Eldridge, James Gardner, and Harold Wilson. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Zion Cemetery Association (c/o Brenda Marlin 870-368-7653), the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the charity of the donor's choice.

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