William Seymour "Bill" Richardson, age 82 of Valentine, Nebraska, was born on November 19, 1942 in Valentine, Nebraska to William J. and Ennis Lovejoy Richardson. He passed away on August 25, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.
Bill attended Valentine Elementary and Valentine High Schools. He later attended El Centro, CA and Chadron State College and ran track. Bill married Julie Kotrous on January 2, 1988 in Las Vegas, Nevada and on July 26, 2018 in Valentine, Nebraska.
Bill was a retired rancher and truck driver. He was a 50+ year Master Mason of the Silver Cord Lodge No. 244 and attended St. John's Episcopal Church. He had a great lover for Harley Davidson Motorcycles and that started with a ride on his Uncle Lorne's Harley in the 1960's. Buying his first brand new Harley in 1978, that same motorcycle still remains in the family today. He enjoyed being on the road, whether it be a day trip or a two week trip, gathering over 4 million miles in a semi-truck. Bill loved to visit, whether he had known you for years or just met, he always loved to engage in conversation. Bill had a very strong work ethic which he has passed down to his children. After a long week of work, Bill would enjoy a Black Velvet and water (the amount of water depended on if any speeding tickets were involved that week).
He was very proud that at 73 years old, he had all of his points on his driver's license since first getting his license at 16 years old. After his 3rd retirement, he enjoyed yard work and scooping snow for his neighbors, having coffee with his friends and motorcycle trips with his motorcycle gang. Bill was always a willing dance partner, a constant jokester, a phenomenal friend, and a seamless father.
Preceding Bill in death were his parents, William J. Richardson and Ennis Lovejoy Richardson; and a sister, Shirley Jean Richardson.
Survivors include his wife, Julie; children: Kelly (Mark) King of Las Vegas, NV, BJ (Kathleen) Richardson of Las Vegas, NV, Matthew (Grace) Richardson of Bellevue, NE, and Megan (James) Simmons of Kansas City; grandchildren: Ryan Glazier of Las Vegas, Rachel (Megan) Oaks of Las Vegas, Joe Richardson of Las Vegas, Teresa Richardson of New York, and Evelyn Richardson of Bellevue, NE; and great granddaughters: Rilynn and Kinnsley Glasier of Las Vegas.
A Celebration of Life Service is planned sometime in November around his birthday.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine, Nebraska is entrusted with the service arrangements.