William Thomas Richards was born August 6, 1940 in Ashland, Mississippi to the late Booker T. Richards and Mona Brown Richards.

William attended school in Ashland, Mississippi. In 1945, the family moved to East Saint Louis, Illinois where William completed his education in East Saint Louis School District 189.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two children, Willie Richards and Corvette Richards and two brothers, Arthur (Dottie) Richards and T.C. (Evelean) Richards.

Williams was a retired welder and forklift driver.

William leaves to cherish his memories his wife Bettie Richards; eight children, Bill (Bertha) Turner, Larry (Sharon) Turner, Jessie (Elizabeth) Richards, Gloria Jackson, Deloris Richards, Williams Richards, all from Memphis, Tennessee, Cortez Lampley from Springfield, IL and Donna Lampley from East Saint Louis; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; siblings Deanna (James) Davis from East Saint Louis, Illinois, Deborah Wilson from Texas, Gary (Regina) Richards from Granite City, Illinois, Gertrude Richards from Granite City, Illinois and David (Ursalla) Richards from Kansas City, Missouri; a special friend, Rena Lampley; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.