Obituaries

Willie Ray Richardson

Photo of Willie Ray Richardson
Major Willie Ray Richardson USAF, (retired) usually called "Bill," died in Batesville on Sunday, July 6, 2014, from leukemia, aged 86 years. Bill was born on Nov. 30, 1927 in Melbourne to I.B. and Annie H. Richardson. He attended Melbourne High School, graduating in 1946. He received an Associate degree in 1948 from Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University), enlisted in the United States Air Force, and began an officer and pilot training program in 1954, flying jet fighter and trainer aircraft. Retiring from 20 years with the Air Force in 1968 as a Major, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, becoming a Shelby County Sherriff's Department deputy. After retiring again in 1993, he remained in Memphis until returning to Arkansas in 2011. A long-time member of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Memphis, he was 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. Services will be at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home on Saturday, July 12, 2014 with a viewing at noon, and a service at 2 p.m., with Rev. Bo Grace of Broadmoor officiating. 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. Send memorials in lieu of flowers to Zion Cemetery Association (Brenda Marlin 870-368-7653), American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or donor's choice of charity. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Published July 11, 2014

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