William Frank Richardson's Obituary
William “Bill” Frank Richardson, loving husband and father of three, passed away at age 80 on May 2, 2021. Bill was born August 21, 1940 in Lincoln, Nebraska to William Norwood Richardson and Grace Elizabeth Young Richardson. The family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1948 after his father returned from serving in WWII. Throughout his formative years, Bill was active at the First Baptist Church of Albuquerque where he accepted Jesus as his personal savior.
After receiving his Bachelors of Science from New Mexico State University, Bill joined the United States Air Force, where he met his future wife who was also serving in the Air Force. Bill married Flora Marian Martz on November 25, 1966 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He served his country valiantly from 1965 to 1971, including one year in Vietnam. At the time of his discharge he held a National Defense Service Medal, a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, a Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and an Air Force Longevity Service Award. He was also awarded two Bronze Star Medals; one for Meritorious Service and one for Heroism for risking his life to extinguish a fire in a revetment storing explosives after an enemy rocket attack. He was credited with preventing injury or death to many personnel and the possible incapacitation of the Third Tactical Fighter Wing.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Bill enrolled in graduate school at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Daughter Joy was born in Columbia, Missouri in October 1969. Son Jay followed twenty months later. Bill worked diligently to support his family and finish two Master’s Degrees (Chemistry and Electrical Engineering) and then his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering. In 1978, the family moved to Houston, Texas where Bill started working for Texas Instruments. Daughter Janet was born in Houston in 1979. After Bill accepted a new position with Texas Instruments in 1983, the family moved to Richardson, Texas where they lived until all three kids graduated high school. Bill and the family were very involved in Richardson East Baptist Church. Bill served as deacon, music director, Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader and many other roles as they presented themselves. He continued to serve His Savior and others in many similar positions in San Antonio, Little Elm and McKinney as he changed jobs and eventually retired. Bill was a loving caretaker for his wife Flo after she was diagnosed with Stiff Person’s Syndrome in 2012. He was by her side when she passed to her heavenly home in 2019. Bill then moved in with daughter Janet and enjoyed activities with the grandchildren and serving in his church.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by daughter Joy (Mark) Biscotto of Burnet, TX, son Jay (Heather) Richardson and daughter Janet (Andrew) Bell, both of McKinney, TX, sister Sidna (Ken) Foster of Owasso, OK, grandchildren Sara Biscotto, Jordan and Leah Richardson, Seth and Joseph Bell, great-nephews Jeff (Tasha) and Robert Russell, and many other beloved friends and family.
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