March 8, 1993
The Smithtown Fire Department tonight will honor longtime firefighter William R. Richards, who died on Monday in the Nesconset Nursing Center after a long illness. He was 83.
In a tribute to Mr. Richards’ 55 years of service, firefighters in full regalia will eulogize their former colleague during an 8 p.m. service at the Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home on Manor Road in Smithtown.
“A piece of {the department’s} history died with him,” said William Johnson, chief of the Smithtown Fire Department. “He was a grandfather to the younger guys and a pal to those his age.”
Mr. Richards spent 35 years at Grumman Aircraft in Bethpage, where he worked his way up from the assembly line to flight engineer. He retired in 1974.
A member of the Masonic Lodge for four decades, he was well-known among family and friends as a consummate handyman, said his grandson, David Ure of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Mr. Richards, who was born in Brooklyn, moved to Smithtown with his family while he was still a toddler. He attended public school in Smithtown before going on to a private high school, The Stony Brook School for boys. He eventually enrolled at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., but did not graduate.
Other survivors include a daughter, Joyce Ure of St. James; a son, William Jr. of Smithtown; a half-brother, David Richards of Saint James; and three grandchildren.
Visiting is scheduled for tomorrow from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hawkins & Davis Funeral Home. A religious service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown at 11 a.m. Saturday. Cremation will be private.
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(Copyright Newsday Inc., 1993)
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