William "Bill" R. Richards

Richards, William (“Bill”) R., 89, of Sun City Center, FL, formerly of St. Clair Shores and Bloomfield Township, MI, passed away Feb 12, 2017. Bill was born in Detroit, MI, in 1927. He served in the US Navy during World War II. Bill then had a distinguished career in public accounting, starting in the mailroom at age 16 while still in high school, and retiring after a 46 year tenure at Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC). He joined Coopers & Lybrand, became a Certified Public Accountant, and elevated to the positions of Partner, Executive Committee, and International Council before retiring as the longest tenured employee in the company’s history. He served as a Board member of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, the Mary & Martha House, and was co-founder of the St Anne Food Pantry as well as a member of St Anne Catholic Church in Ruskin, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Richards, his two brothers, Al Richards and Bob Richards, his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Richards Hodgins, and his son-in-law, Rick Christianson. Survivors include four sons, William Richards, Jr., Michael (Julie) Richards, Patrick Richards, and Craig (Meghan) Richards; four daughters, Lynn (Greg) Savage, Cathy (Denny Hester) Richards, Karen Christianson, and Barbara (Jim) Mahoney; 17 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Friday, Feb 24, from 5 to 9 pm, with a prayer service at 7 pm, at Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield, Clinton Twp. Interment service will be 10 am Saturday, Feb 25, at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alice Lloyd College, 100 Purpose Rd, Pippa Passes, KY; the Mary & Martha House, 100 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL; or St Anne Food Pantry, 106 11th Ave. NE, Ruskin, FL. Bill was a friend to many as well as a faithful confidant and trusted advisor. He will be dearly missed. Please share a memory with the family at www.kaulfuneralhome.com.