William Joseph Richardson

William Joseph Richardson passed away May 2, 2025 after a long life well-lived. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Pineville, Louisiana and a Knight of Columbus. He was the son of Marvin Richardson and Markie Paskle and was born at home in Green County, Arkansas on January 8, 1934.

Bill lost the love of his life and best friend, Carol Mary Bushan in 2011 after 57 years of marriage. He is survived by his five children, Bill Richardson Jr. (Bob Halcums), Carcassonne, France; Lee Ann Cox (Andy), Folly Beach, SC; Mary Lee (Mike), Yantis, Texas; Cheryl Richardson (Phillip Bowen), Amelia Island, Florida; Dan Richardson (Elaine), Garland, Texas; and brother, Jim Richardson (Dee), O’Fallon, Missouri; and sister, Carol Robertson, Pineville, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charlie Richardson. Paw Paw was loved and adored by his grandchildren, Candace, Jessica, Jeff, Jenni, Neil, Holli, Nolan, Mathew, and great-grandchildren, Connor, Katie, Kensie, Fiona, Vivian, Hunter, and Virginia.

Bill was a self-taught, hands-on, mechanical engineer. He attended night classes at colleges in Missouri, Arkansas, and California. He was proud of his work in the aerospace industry at Rocketdyne, where he worked on the development of rocket engines used in the Apollo 11 moon landing. His multifaceted career spanned various manufacturing positions in the states of Missouri, California, Texas, and Georgia. In his final role as Regional Sales Manager, he traveled extensively across the southern United States, focusing on Texas and Louisiana. He successfully sold to various industries, including petroleum, automotive, steel, military, paper, and refineries. He was recognized for his hands-on approach and willingness to engage directly with the work environment. He earned his customers’ respect and continued friendship and never turned down an invite to a Cajun cookout with cold beer, music, tall tales, and lots of laughter!

He loved the outdoors and adventure. He lived a colorful life and had a streak of daredevil which was apparent when he became an inaugural member of the Neosho, Missouri Hillbilly Skydivers Club in the early 60’s. He made his last jump at the age of 88 outside of New Orleans. Carol and Bill took early retirement, sold their house and all belongings, bought an RV, and traveled throughout the US for 11 years and then settled in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Mr. Bill, as he was known to many of his friends, was an artist, a musician who played the harmonica and guitar, and a published lyricist who loved writing songs, his best known being “A Salesman on the Road.”

The funeral mass will be at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 551 E. FM 2795, Emory, Texas on Saturday, May 17th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.