William Thomas Richardson Jr.

William Thomas Richardson, Jr., affectionately known as “W.T.” to family and Bill to friends and the community passed away in the early morning hours of January 9, 2018 at the age of 95. Born in Beech Bluff, Tennessee on September 8, 1922, Bill was preceded in death by Bobbie Ruth Bradley Richardson, his devoted wife of 56 years he is also lovingly remembered by sons William Thomas Richardson, III (wife Sherry) and John Stanford Richardson (wife Denise), daughters Martha Gay Richards (husband Mark) and Dawn Annette Pearman (husband Richard); grandchildren Samuel Joshua Richardson (wife Shannon), William Thomas Richardson (IV), Katharine Richards Hutchison, John Hayden Richardson (wife Katerri), Janie Lauren Richardson-Hopkin (husband Scott), Kelly Richards Cooper and Hunter Ross Richardson. Bill is also survived by seven adored great grandchildren Adam William Richardson, Jenna Marie Richardson, Jordyn Grace Cooper, Palmer Alton Hutchison, Colt Richards Cooper, AnaLee Brock Hutchison and Isla Grace Richardson.

Bill lived throughout his childhood in Hickman County Kentucky working share-cropped land and the family farm of his parents, William Thomas Richardson and Essie Mae Martin Richardson. Alongside Bill on the farm were his siblings Gertrude Richardson DeWeese, Josephine Richardson Martin and James Martin Richardson.

Upon graduation from Hickman County High School, Bill joined the U. S. Navy in 1942 and served throughout World War II and the Korean Conflict. Once he met and married Bobbie, Bill determined he’d rather continue to serve our nation via the Air Force from which he retired in 1963 after 21 years total active military service. He then served our nation as a civil servant of the Department of Defense (Army) for another 20 years.

Bill was a passionate servant of his heavenly Father and for many years dedicated himself to his church family in the capacities of teacher, deacon, and elder; and in more recent years, writer of faith-based poems, prose and Bible-study materials.

Friends and family will be celebrating his life and legacy during two services: Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 2:30 pm CT at the chapel of Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN. Visitation will be in the hour preceding the service. Burial, beside his beloved Bobbie, will be immediately following the service at Woodlawn. The second memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm CT on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the Hartselle Church of Christ, 700 Sparkman Street, SW, Hartselle, AL. The family will be receiving guest from 3-4 pm.

Honoring Bill’s life, memorial contributions may be made to Agape of North Alabama, P.O. Box 127, Madison, Al 35758.