Memorial services for William R. Richardson, a retired manager with Lucent Technologies, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, at the St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N. Kelley Ave.Mr. Richardson died on Jan. 13.
He was 74.
William Royal Richardson was born on Oct. 2, 1935, in Oklahoma City to L.E. and Inez Richardson.
He graduated in 1953 from Douglass High School, attended Fisk University, graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Langston University, and received a master of business administration degree from Oklahoma City University.
Mr. Richardson began his career with the Western Electric Corp. in 1963, and rose in rank to become an assistant supervisor/manager with Lucent Technologies.
He retired in 1990.
During his career with Western Electric and Lucent Technologies, Mr. Richardson worked with his father to help manage the family’s real estate and service station businesses.
After his retirement, Mr. Richardson opened the 4R’s Learning & Day Care Center.
“He was committed to ‘giving back to his community,’ ” Dr. Dara Richardson Heron, one of Mr. Richardson’s daughters, said, “and, consequently, he endeavored to make an impact in the lives of all those with whom he crossed paths.”
Dr. Heron, a physician, is chief executive officer of the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer.
Mr. Richardson once served as a member of the school board of the Millwood Independent Public School District.
He was founder of the First Time Offenders Program that operated under the auspices of the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, which was then led by Robert H. Macy.
Mr. Richardson was presented a special citation from President Ronald Reagan and the federal Small Business Administration for promoting minority-owned businesses in Oklahoma City.
He once served as president of the board of directors of Sugar Creek Camp, which works with disadvantaged children.
The retired Lucent Technologies manager held a lifetime membership in the Young Men’s Christian Association, and was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
“Our father was a man of great strength and character,” Dr. Heron said. “He was outspoken and direct, as well as gentle and loving.”
“He taught his four daughters that there are seven attributes for a successful life,” she continued.
She identified them as “love and respect for yourself and your family, pride in yourself and your accomplishments, character, determination, patience, intelligence, and love of God.”
In 2007, Mr. Richardson (along with the late Johnny Cochran, the famed defense attorney) was featured in a book of essays, entitled “Daughters of Men,” by Rachel Vassel.
The book emphasized the influential roles of Black fathers in the lives of their daughters.
Mr. Richardson is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Jeraldean Hayes Richardson.
He is also survived by four daughters: Tori Richardson Hill (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Maria Richardson (Rowlett, Texas), Dara Richardson Heron, M.D. (Hollis Hills, N.Y.) and Aisha Richardson (Bowie, Md.).
In addition, Mr. Richardson is survived by a sister, Inas Richardson Carroll (Ft. Worth, Texas); and a brother, Rev. Paul A. Richardson (Oklahoma City).
Other survivors are five grandchildren.
