William "Bill" R. Richardson

Funeral Services for William “Bill” Richardson, 75, of Norfolk, will be 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3 at the Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue in Norfolk. Chaplain Gordon Braun will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel and there will be a reception to follow the service. Home for Funerals is entrusted with the arrangements. This service will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s website.

Military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1644, American Legion Post 16, and United States Navy Honor Guard.

Bill passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Norfolk Veterans Home.

William Ray, son of William Weldon and Mildred (Bullington) Richardson, was born April 30, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up in Wayne, Nebraska, where he attended school and graduated from Wayne High School in 1968.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1969. Over the course of his 26-year military career, he earned numerous commendations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal (two awards), multiple unit and service awards, and recognition for his Vietnam-era service. A decorated marksman and two-time Sailor of the Year at the Naval Reserve Center in Sioux City, Iowa, he was admired for his dedication, technical skill, and steady leadership. He retired in 1995 with the rank of Engineman Chief Petty Officer.

Bill earned his degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration from Northeast Community College. He worked as a maintenance mechanic at 3M, later Arnold Engineering, for over 30 years until his retirement in 2018.

On November 26, 1977, Bill was united in marriage with Melanie (Elliott) Sanderford in San Diego, California aboard the ship Queen Mary.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, rocketry, classic cars and stock car racing with his team. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family.

He is survived by his wife Melanie; children David (KC) Sanderford, Kelly (Joel Chandler) Haddix, William J. (Sara Samway) Richardson, and Virginia “Ginny” (Christopher) Lewis; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild; and sister Lee Ann Proctor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Proctor and daughter-in-law Lori Neel-Sanderford.

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