William S. Richardson, 82

William Seymour Richardson, age 82 of Valentine, was born November 19, 1942, in Valentine, to William J. and Ennis Lovejoy Richardson. He passed away August 25, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Bill attended Valentine Elementary and Valentine High School. He later attended El Centro, CA and Chadron State College and ran track.

Bill married Julie Kotrous on January 2, 1988, in Las Vegas and July 26, 2018, in Valentine.

Bill was a retired rancher and truck driver. He was a 50+ year Master Mason of the Silver Cord Lodge No. 224 and attended St. John’s Episcopal Church.

He had great love for Harley Davidson motorcycles and that started with a ride on his uncle Lorne’s Harley in the 60s. Buying his first brand new Harley in 1978, that same motorcycle still remains in the family today.

He enjoyed being on the road whether it be a day trip, or a twoweek trip, gathering over four million miles in a semi-truck. Bill loved to visit, whether he had known you for years or just met, he always loved to engage in conversation.

Bill had a very strong work ethic which he has passed down to his children. After a long week of work, Bill would enjoy a Black Velvet and water (the amount of water depended on if any speeding tickets were involved that week).

He was very proud that at 73 years old, he had all of his points on his driver’s license since first getting his license at 16 years old. After his third retirement he enjoyed yard work and scooping snow for his neighbors, having coffee with his friends and motorcycle trips with his motorcycle gang. Bill was Always a willing dance partner, a constant jokester, a phenomenal friend, and a seamless father.

Preceding Bill in death, were his parents, William J. Richardson and Ennis Lovejoy Richardson; sister, Shirley Jean Richardson.

Survivors include his wife, Julie; children, Kelly (Mark) King of Las Vegas, BJ (Kathleen) Richardson of Las Vegas, Matthew (Grace) Richardson of Bellevue, and Megan (James) Simmons of Kansas City; grandchildren, Ryan Glazier, Las Vegas, Rachel (Megan) Oaks, Las Vegas, Joe Richardson, Las Vegas, Teresa Richardson, New York, and Evelyn Richardson, Bellevue; great granddaughters, Rilynn and Kinnsley Glazier, Las Vegas Service to be held and celebration of life date pending in November around his birthday. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine is entrusted with service arrangements.