Billy Richey

Bill Richey who was born August 11, 1933, passed away on January 15, 2015. He lived a full life and experienced many opportunities and activities that are only dreamed of by many people with intellectual challenges and disabilities: a job, his home and traveling. Bill was placed in foster care as a young person, as were many people of his generation with intellectual challenges, he was institutionalized. He lived for many years at Benton Services Center where he was affectionately called “Doctor” because he followed the doctors around carrying a clip board. In 1965 Mrs. Pauline Johnson, a retired counselor with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, moved Bill and a few friends from Benton to Little Rock to live. Bill went to work for the Arkansas State Hospital where he worked in the laundry department for 21 years. Bill became a member of West Side Baptist Church in 1965. After Mrs. Johnson’s passing in 1985 he and his friends were able to live in their own home with the help of volunteers. Bill attended Care Links Adult Day Care (Hastings Respite Center) for 20 years. Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center became his home when age began to interfere with independence. Surely Bill was met in heaven by those he considered family: Mrs. Pauline Johnson, Clifford Foster and Virgil Nady. He will be fondly remembered for his love of watches, baseball caps and law enforcement badges by his “family” who remain: Wilbur Nady, Marie Pierce, Regina Joiner and the staff of Adult Day Care and Dixie, Nick, Joan and the many other staff at Briarwood who loved Bill. We wish to thank Gentiva Hospice for the kindness and comfort given to Bill his last few weeks. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, Tuesday, January 20th at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock, AR with funeral service immediately following at 11:00 am. Rev. Gene Davis will officiate. WWW.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com