William Harry Richards

William Harry Richards

William Harry Richards (Bill) went to be renewed with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, May 6th 2015 at the age of 89.

Bill was born in Fort Pierce May 2nd 1926. He was a life -long resident of the Treasure Coast and a true Florida native. Born to Harry and Elizabeth Richards, Bill grew up in White City. He loved to fish and garden and the Treasure Coast was his playground. Bill’s ancestors settled Eden, in Jensen beach in 1879. Capt. Thomas E. Richards started the first pineapple plantation in Eden in the 1870”s. Bill loved his heritage and roots in the local area.

Bill was born hearing but due to a childhood illness lost his hearing at the age of 2. He spent his entire life deaf and mute. It never slowed him down. He attended the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, where he learned his trade as a carpenter. He also played on the High School football team. He met the love of his life in high school.. his dear Marilyn. Bill and Marilyn quickly became sweethearts and he knew he wanted to spend his life with her. Marilyn was born deaf, but again never considered it a handicap. Bill and Marilyn shortly parted ways after high school as Marilyn returned to New Hampshire with her family and Bill to Fort Pierce.

They corresponded and their relationship strengthened and Bill traveled to meet Marilyn’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. Her father said No… Wow. He told Bill that he would have to own a home for her to move into after marriage. So…..Bill being the stubborn man he was, came back to Ft. Pierce where he worked at East Coast Lumber and proceeded to purchase lumber each Friday after payday and work on building a home on a piece of property in White City attached to his father’s home. He built a house, completely paid for as he built it and in 1950, he married Marilyn.

Bill and Marilyn lived in Fort Pierce their entire lives. He worked as a carpenter as his profession. Bill owned a boat building company. He spent a lot of time working with and hanging out with Beany Backus at Backus Boat works. He also owned a cabinet company and worked as a finish carpenter for various employers for many years. He built some amazing furniture and there are plenty of homes on the Treasure Coast that bear his handiwork. He was known by his co workers as “Groovy” as he always was quick of wit and played practical jokes all the time.

Bill raised a wonderful son and daughter, Terry and Beth. Terry was a veteran of the US Army who unfortunately, met an untimely death very early in life breaking Bill’s heart. Elizabeth, (Beth) while trying to decide what to do with her life followed the sage advice of dad and went to college to study education. She graduated in 1979 with a double major in Elementary Education and Education for the Hearing Impaired. She has given so much in the spirit of Bill’s never give up attitude.

Bill spent his entire life struggling against the challenges of being deaf, however if you ever mentioned his handicap he would respond, “I’m not handicapped, I’m deaf” …. He never took a handout.

Bill embraced his family, teaching his son- in- law, Mike carpentry and gardening . He gave his beloved 1962 Orlando Clipper skiff to his grandson Evan as a college graduation gift. Evan and his dad Mike spent about a year restoring the skiff and are still using it today. Bill’s spirit is surely in the boat as it seems to catch more fish than any other boat around.

Bill was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. His wisdom and willingness to share his gifts will be a legacy to all who survive him. Bill loved Jesus and had an amazing relationship with our Lord. He is surely enjoying sharing carpentry secrets with Jesus. It is unimaginable how sweet the sound of angels singing must be to a man who spent his entire life in silence.

Bill will be missed by all his loved ones as we are selfish and don’t want to let him go. He is in a much better place and we all know he will be singing us into Heaven when our time comes to be reunited.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.

We all love you and miss you Bill. Keep Heaven Laughing.

God bless you for being such an inspiration to so many.