Willie Richardson

Billy Richardson was born in Columbia South Carolina on December 29 1931 to the late Etta Richardson and Darrell Barrels. He received his education in the South and enlisted in the United States Army. While in the service he learned to speak 3 languages, German, French and Spanish. He left the South and moved to Philadelphia Pennsylvania where he met and Married Ms. Annie Rosita Williamson who he remained married to for over 65 years. He migrated to New York and became a pillar of the community while working for and eventually retiring from the Archdiocese of New York. He was in the recovery process for over 50 years and he was a world traveler. He played the guitar and sang, however his specialty instrument was the horn. He will join his siblings Emmanuel "Sonny Boy" Smith, Bubber Smith and Geraldine Dantzler who all preceded him in death. He was the last to get on the train at age 90. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife Annie Richardson, his children Joanne Richardson, Patricia Richardson, Vanessa Burns, Anthony Richardson, Stephen Richardson, Brenda Williams, Bonnie Thomas, Dwayne Thomas, Billy Thomas and Marcus Sumpter. He also leaves a host of grandchildren and great grand and his best friend Mr. Melvin Campbell who cared for him until the very end.