William Jay Richmond

He attended school in Gowanda until August 1960 when Dad decided it was time to move to California, so he didn’t have to shovel snow anymore. Bill was 16 at that time and attended Porterville Union High, graduating in 1961.

He loved cars and working on them. He started working at Mahoney & O’Dell in 1963, in the parts department. From there he was parts manager at Visalia Automotive and Ivanhoe Auto parts before going to work for Cal Trans in 1993. When he retired, he finally had the time to play more golf, something he really enjoyed!

Bill had a great sense of humor and would do anything in his power to help anyone who needed it.

Bill loved his family and children. He is survived by his wife Judy, and his two kitties, Lexi and Tinker. Son, Lee (Debbie) of Indiana, daughter Kelly (Ed) Fredrickson of Redding, daughter Angelique Smiley of Fresno, son, Mike “Butch” (Randi) of Visalia, and Laurie Madron, of Oceano. He has 5 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who love their Uncle Bill. He leaves brother Herb (Doris) of Redding, brother John (Maria) of Escondido and sister Jean (Mike) Ruffner of Kingsburg, and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Danley of Texas, and Susan (David) Pearson of Visalia, their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by aunts, uncles and his many, many friends who will miss his fun and loving nature.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Kenneth, nephews David Richmond and Gavin Richmond and niece Megan McDonough.

There will be a celebration of Bill on January 24 at the Trinity United Reformed Church, 6400 W Walnut Ave, Visalia, CA from 12-2 PM. All are welcome to come and share your stories of Bill!