L.W. "Bill" Richmond

RICHMOND, L.W. "Bill" - age 88, of Fenton, died August 23, 2020 at his residence. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Friday, August 28, 2020 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St., Fenton with Fr. David Harvey celebrant. Visitation will be held 2-8 PM Thursday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7 PM. Visitation will also be held from 10-11 AM Friday at the church. Private burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. John Educational Foundation.  Bill was born in Michigamme in the UP on November 23, 1931, the son of Lafayette Dennis and Marie (Hanna) Richmond. He attended Central Michigan University, joined the US Navy in June of 1951 and served abroad the USS Jason as an electrician for three years during the Korean War. While at sea, Bill honed his card playing skills and became the Pacific Fleet Euchre Champion. Bill attended Michigan State University from 1955-1959, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Forever a MSU Spartan, Go State! Bill married the love of his life, Ruth Rau, in the fall of 1956, she preceded him in death in 2016. They were blessed with 60 years of marriage! Bill's career with General Electric took him from New York to Bitburg, Germany to Arizona before finding a home in Fenton in 1966 and starting a career at Champion Spark Plug in Detroit. He retired from Champion in 1993 as the Plant Manager. Bill and Ruth spent 20 winters as "snow birds" in Naples and made new flocks of friends while there. He looked forward to the spring and planting his garden, his love of gardening was acquired from his summers spent at his grandparent's farm, Twin Elms, in Stitsville, MI. He loved digging in the dirt! Bill leaves behind 4 children, Nick (Tricia) and their children, Briggs, Chase and Jackson; Tanya (Mike) Heaphy and their children, Cooper, Lincoln and Spencer; Stephanie Truesdell, and children, Bailey and Carson; Jennifer Cislo and children, Parker (Hannah), Drew and Cameron; great granddaughter, sweet baby Vaida Grace Cislo,  born April 2020 to the delight of Great Grandpa Bill!
Bill was a member of St. John's Parish in Fenton for over 50 years and was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. Bill always looked forward to Tuesday morning coffee with the ROMEO's (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and Wednesday golf league with his buddies the "Old Farts". He was an early member of the Fenton Beautification Commission, planting many trees around Fenton. In the last few years, he was a volunteer with the Accounting Aid Society, always open to learning something new, and helping others. Bill will be particularly missed by the "Mutual Admiration Society", Margaret and Don Seyfried, Doris Quick and Gertee Brownlee. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ruth; brothers, Don, Tom and John; sisters, Mary Newton and Ann Allen; son-in-law, Jamie Truesdell. Live Streaming of Funeral Mass will be available below on the day of the service. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.