William Richards Obituary, Death – In the evening of March 25, 2023, William E. “Bill” Richards passed away at the Southwest Montana Veterans Home in Butte, accompanied by members of his family. Ernest and Violet (Rowe) Richards of Butte, Montana, welcomed their son into the world on Saturday, July 3, 1948. He attended public schools in Butte before enlisting in the Marine Marines and spending two tours of duty in Vietnam. Bill received several medals and honors for his military service, including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame and the Bronze Star. After being discharged from the military with distinction, Bill returned to Butte and found employment as a mechanic for Jim Kraut Chevrolet.
Bill re-enlisted in the Montana National Guard and was offered a permanent position there, which he accepted and remained in until the day he retired. He married Helen L. Sundberg on December 9, 1972, in Butte; the couple has a daughter they named Janet. In December of this past year, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. His eyes would light up whenever he got to see his granddaughters, MacKenzie and Connor. His only two children were named Connor and MacKenzie. Bill was a member of the Marine Corps League and the Teamster’s Union in the past. Bill was devoted to duty and service even in his personal life.
He connected with others through his interest in cars. Several of his loved ones have great memories of their “garage time” with him. He would help anyone who seemed like they were having trouble without hesitation. Only his wife Helen, his daughter Janet and her husband Stephen, and their children MacKenzie and Connor Coe, all of Butte, are alive from his immediate family. Bob Richards, his brother, who lives in Butte; Donna and Jerry Smith and Bonnie and Dan Corder and their children, all of Butte; Eileen Eamon, Margie (Joe) Scown, and Chris Ketchum, all of Butte; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Joyce James, are among those who will miss him.
His parents are also still alive and well. William’s sibling, John Richards, and sister, Janie Fredrickson, both predeceased him along with his parents. His parents were the first to die away.
The cremation is now finished. Services will be held at the Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., and burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Southwest Montana Veterans Home or any other nonprofit of the donor’s choosing.