WEEMS—Known to most as Bill, William F. Richards, 83, passed away on August 5, 2020, in Weems. He had been struggling in recent months with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Dementia and is now at peace.
Being the fourth generation to reside there, Bill always considered Fredericksburg home. Beginning in his teenage years, he was a volunteer member with the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad and remained supportive his entire life. As a young man, law enforcement became his focus and he served as a Virginia State Trooper, worked with the Fredericksburg Police Department, Virginia Game Commission and Virginia Beach Police Department.
After law enforcement, Bill went on to graduate from Old Dominion University and received his Virginia license to sell real estate in 1979. In 1985, he moved to Lancaster County. An avid hunter and fisherman in his early years, coming back to the Northern Neck brought him close to an area he loved. He became active in real estate sales with his wife, Barbara, and was considered by his peers as the epitome of what a real estate agent should be. He and Barbara moved to Highland County in 2004 to enjoy another area of the state that he loved. They chose to return to Lancaster County in 2011.
Bill was a Mason and member of the Fredericksburg Lodge. Over the years, he served as coordinator of Lancaster County Hospice and as chairman of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Advisory Board.
Bill found great pleasure in visiting friends, many of whom were shut-ins or had lost a spouse. His sense of humor brought smiles to many.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Mason F. Richards and Clarice Rollings Richards, and only sibling, John Richards.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Barbara; a son, Stephen Richards; stepchildren, Weymouth L. McLeod and family and Martha McLeod Keith and family; along with a number of cousins.
Bill chose cremation and a private family service will be held later. For memorial donations please consider White Stone Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 272, White Stone, VA 22578; Kilmarnock-Lancaster Volunteer Rescue Squad, 61 Harris Road, Kilmarnock, VA 22482; Hospice of Virginia, P. O. Box 2098, Tappahannock, VA 22560, or a charity of your choice.
