William Edwin Richard

William Edwin Richard, 92, of Bowling Green passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 with his daughter, Debbie, by his side at Lynn’s Heritage House in Louisiana, Missouri. Bill was born December 11, 1930 and was the only child of Edwin Newton Richard and Garnet Odell Stone Richard at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. The family moved from St. Louis to a farm near Highway 79 in Louisiana, Missouri when Bill was 4. He attended Bryson School through the 8th grade, then the family moved into town and he attended Louisiana High School, graduating in 1948. There he met Betty Ann Hudson and after 6 years of dating off and on, they married on March 1st, 1953 at the First Presbyterian Church in Louisiana. Betty passed away July 14, 2020 at the age of 86. Bill served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957 and their daughter, Debra Denese was born in Ft. Riley, Kansas. She survives, along with her 2 sons, Bryan Clark Pederson and wife, Laura (Jones), and son, Eric Clark; and Derek Eugene Pederson and wife, Becky (Sahl) and son, William Raymond. Bill and Betty built their forever home in rural Bowling Green and moved in June 1959 after their son, Billy Clark was born. He was hit by a car and killed in 1969. In 1972, they adopted 2 children, Jack Dean and Jeri Renee. They survive. Bill farmed with his dad for 6 years, worked at a gas station for Clark for 2 years, Hercules plant for 11 years, then 26 years as a pipefitter/welder with Local 562 in St. Louis until retirement on their 40th wedding anniversary on March 1st, 1993. Bill and Betty were active in the Democratic Club, and Bill was in the Lion's Club and also a lifetime member of the Masonic Temple in Louisiana. Bill and Betty owned rental properties through the years. After retirement Bill and his uncle Dob built a log cabin beside their home, out of 1850 logs, where they ran a business, Past Tymes Antiques, which they enjoyed from 1995 to 2004. They later made it into a living quarters and rented it to their grandson, Derek, followed by several others. Bill and Betty were fortunate to be able to enjoy traveling with their fifth wheel camper through 48 states and flew to Hawaii for their 25th wedding anniversary. Bill enjoyed meeting the group for coffee most afternoons at Crystal’s for years. He also enjoyed gardening, watching movies and having dinner with Betty and friends at Dos Primos. Bill and Debbie shared a memorable experience together when they skydived tandem at the Bowling Green airport when Bill was 61 years old. Bill and Betty were the first to swim at the YMCA through the PCMH aqua therapy program in 2019. Bill was a wonderful father and grandfather and was happy to enjoy great-grandsons, Eric and Will. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green where Bill served as a Deacon. There will be no service at this time. In lieu of flowers or plants, plaques, food, etc., any memorials may be sent to their church at 205 W. Centennial, Bowling Green, Missouri, 63334. Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes and Crematory is handling the cremation rites.

William Edwin Richard

December 11, 1930 - January 7, 2023