Richard Alan Willding, 80, was born on February 24, 1933 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Alice Christine Leaf and Arthur Louis Willding, who preceded him in death. Known to family and friends as “Dick,” he died on February 26, 2013, with his family by his side. Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, he is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Kay Kinder, and survived by his son Guy William Willding and wife, Mitzie Burridge; grandson Curtis Raymond Willding and wife, Shari; granddaughters Tabatha Mann Doyle and husband, Jessie; Nikki Mann Hernandez and Luis; and, Amanda Mann Day and Chris. His great grandchildren include: Brody and Penelope Willding, Kaitlyn Cox, Lainey and Landon Doyle, Logan and Emma Hernandez and Kiley Day. He is also survived by his sisters: Mary Elizabeth Addington and Margaret Elaine Smith; sisters-in-law, Georgia and Barbara, as well as many nieces and nephews. His sister and brothers preceding him in death are: Delores Vivian, John Arthur, Robert Louis, Ward William, Thomas Eugene and Donald Joseph. Often compared to the great SMU star of the era, Doak Walker, Dick received his first football letter in 1946 while attending Holy Trinity Catholic School in Dallas. As #21 at Jesuit College Preparatory School, he became a star halfback, earning ten varsity letters and receiving an athletic scholarship in 1951 to The University of Texas at Austin where he lettered in football on the freshman team. On May 20, 2000, he was inducted into the Jesuit Alumni Letterman’s Club – Blue & Gold Sports Hall of Fame. In recent years, Dick was active with the Alumni Association, helping to create and maintain the Class of '51 Memorial Bench, which celebrates the lives of Jesuit brothers from his Class who've passed away. He also was a veteran of the Korean War. The family of Richard A. Willding will receive friends, Sunday, March 3, 2013 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, with a Rosary to begin at 7:00 PM, Calvary Hill Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Reverend John Edwards, S.J. Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Monday, 2:00 PM, Calvary Hill Mausoleum North Chapel, officiated by Reverend William Huete, S.J. Pallbearers are: Curtis Willding, Michael Willding, Peter Willding, Davis Rhea, Danny Robbins and John Boytkin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made online to Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas at www.jesuitcp.org, or by mail to 12345 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75244.
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