William G Richards , June 17, 1948 — June 27, 2018

William G. “Bill” Richards, age 91 of Darlington, WI passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018 surrounded by his family at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. He was born October 4, 1926 in Barronette, WI the son of Orie and Ellen (Ryeberg) Richards. He was united in marriage to Doris M. Miller on June 17, 1948 in Galena, IL.

Bill lived in Galena, IL until 1972 when he moved to Darlington. He was a farmer, a milk hauler, and owner of Richards Trucking. He also worked at Dubuque Pac, Browntown Foundry,… Read More » and Eagle Pitcher Mine in Shullsburg.

Bill also owned a tavern in Gratiot, WI called Trails End. Bill is survived by six children: Bill (Diana DuFrene) Richards of Galena, IL, Deb Foecking of Belmont, WI, Mark Richards of New Glarus, WI, Judy (Ken) Wiegel of rural Shullsburg, WI, Dan (Holly) Richards of Monroe, WI, and Luke (Brenda Schaefer) Richards of Scales Mound, IL; 24 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; one sister: Dorothy Salwolke of Elgin, IL; and one sister-in-law: Doris Richards of Hastings, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; two children: Kelly and Jon Richards; two brothers: Dennis and Duane Richards; one sister: Beverly Richards; the mother of his children: Doris Richards; and one son-in-law: Jim Foecking.

Bill was a proud member of Apple River American Legion Post #0298 in Apple River, IL and Warren VFW in Warren, IL. He served in the United States Army from 1944 until he was honorably discharged in 1946. Bill enjoyed fishing and loved horses and dancing.

Bill was the wagon master for Southwest WI from April 1976 until July of 1976 where he got to travel to Valley Forge, PA for the bicentennial year. A funeral service will be held Monday, July 2, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington) with Rev. Craig Simenson of Grace Lutheran Church in Darlington officiating.

Burial will be in Gratiot M.E. Cemetery where military graveside rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held Sunday, July 1, 2018 from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington and on Monday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.

ericksonfuneralhome.com. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Bill’s name. The family would like to give a special thank you to Lafayette Manor staff and St. Croix Hospice for the special care they gave to Bill.

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