G. WILLIAM "BILL" RICHARDS

G. William "Bill" Richards G. William "Bill" Richards, 76, a longtime Aurora resident and attorney, passed away peacefully Nov. 23, 2009, at home surrounded by loved ones. Bill was born June 10, 1933, to Thomas and Marvel Richards. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois and was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1957. He served as magistrate for the City of Aurora and the 16th Judicial District Circuit Court, and was also an assistant states attorney for Kane County. Bill was the first president and chairman of the board of the Bank of Montgomery. Bill prided himself in serving his community - for him serving was a joy, not a burden. He declared there would be no retirement in his lifetime; he vowed to seize each day, each crossroad, each fork in life's road, each new direction to be decided with prayer and divine guidance. Over the years, his dedication to community could be seen in his involvement with the Jaycees, Aurora Optimists, Moose, Salvation Army, Catholic Social Service, Kane County Bar Association, DUI Taskforce, Holy Angels Parish Council, Hesed House, Joseph Corporation, Aurora Election Commission, and many other community and political activities. Among his activities, he always found time to support the Kane County Cougars, where he was an inaugural season ticket holder and avid fan. Survivors include his sister, Nancy Skeldon of Titusville, Fla.; stepsister, Barbara (Earl) Steinke of Glen Ellyn; daughter, Rebecca (the late Walter) Thompson of Aurora; son, Thomas A. (Kathy) Richards of Sugar Grove and family Melanie Franklin and Stephen Dale; daughter, Debbie (Carl) Angello of Aurora and family Jason and Joshua Angello and Brooke Hermann; daughter, Robin (Larry) Nelson of Sandwich and children Jessica and Trevor Kramer; daughter, Mimi (Jeff) Steinwart of Aurora and family Erin, Emily and Natalie; son, Chip (Stefene) Richards of Glendale, Ariz. and family Megan, Alexis and Ben; daughter, Amy Richards of Chicago; seven great-grandchildren; cousin, Frank T. Fox (the late Kathryn); niece and goddaughter, Karen (Jim) Bozarth of Aurora; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Mary, his loving wife of 51 years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Holy Angels Church, Hardin and Lancaster Avenues, Aurora. Monsignor Martin Heinz and Fr. Marianna Ery will concelebrate. The family will receive friends following the service from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, in Connor Hall (lower level of Holy Angels Church). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the G. William and Mary D. Richards Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, 111 W. Downer Place, Suite 312, Aurora, IL 60506, www.communityfoundationfrv.org. Arrangements are being handled by The Healy Chapel, Aurora, IL. For further information call 630-897-9291 or visit www.healychapel.com to sign the online guestbook.