G. William "Bill" Richards

AURORA - G. William (Bill) Richards, 76, longtime Aurora resident and attorney, passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, 2009, at home, surrounded by loved ones. He was born June 10, 1933, to Thomas and Marvel Richards.

Bill 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 also was 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 sister Nancy Skeldon of Titusville, Fla.; step-sister Barbara (Earl) Steinke of Glen Ellyn; daughter Rebecca (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 (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 at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Holy Angels Church, Hardin and Lancaster avenues, Aurora. The Rev. Martin Heinz and the Rev. Marianna Ery will concelebrate. The family will receive friends following the service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Connor Hall on the 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. For information, call 630-897-9291 or visit www.healychapel.com to sign the online guest book.