William Russell Richards, 86, of Prairie Village, Kansas left this world on September 23, 2018. Bill was born in Olney, Illinois on October 11, 1931. 

Bill grew up in Olney and after high school, attended the University of Illinois. He and Shirley (Dale), whom he dated in high school, were married in 1954. They then moved to Maplewood, Missouri where he attended Washington University Medical School, graduating in 1957. After his residency, they moved their family to Appleton, Wisconsin where Bill practiced his specialty, orthopedic surgery, for almost thirty-two years. He served as Chief-of-Staff at Appleton Medical Center for three years.

He is survived by his wfe, Shirley M. (Dale) Richards and their four children: Nancy and husband, Dan Asmussen of Madison, Wisc; Tom and wife, Dee of Plano, Texas; Janet and husband Bob Heiner of Waupala, Wisc; and Barbara and husband, Steve Cross of Leawood, Kansas, eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and four great granddaughters.

Bill has a surviving sister, Phyllis (Richards) Lieber and husband, Ronald of Webster Groves, Missouri.

After 32 years of medical practice in Appleton, Wisc and 24 retirement years in Tucson, Arizona, Bill and Shirley had recently relocated to Prairie Village, Kansas to be close to family.

A private celebration of his life was held at the Cross home in Leawood, Kansas.

Waupaca County Post (WI) – September 27, 2018