William Arnold "Billy" Richards

William Arnold "Billy" Richards passed away peacefully in his Spanish Springs home on Friday, July 15th 2022. Billy was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 26th, 1934 and spent his young years on the East Coast. His Mom, Rosalind Slor relocated his sister (Lennie) and him to Reno, NV when he was 6. Billy was sent to live at Marvina School shortly after his arrival In Reno and credits the owners-Ma and E.O. Kanable with being his family at a young age. There he met Joe Granata who is his oldest living friend. His sister Lennie and he were on their own at a very young age and learned how to take care of themselves and each other. After Marvina School Billy moved to the Reno Fairgrounds on Alameda Street (Wells Ave) where he lived in a tack room and exercised horses to make ends meet. This led to a career as a thoroughbred jockey which he loved. Billy's mother met Willliam Wells around this time, which led to their marriage. William was a member of the Romani (Rumnie) and became the only father figure Billy ever had. Billy would go on to travel the country as a jockey and horse trader with Bill Wells. These adventures were the premise of many stories that he recounted to his loved ones over the years. He was able to meet, spend time and get into trouble with the family and would stay close with them for the remainder of his life. He was fond of speaking Rumnie when on the phone and at family gatherings. Bill originally settled back in Reno as a young adult and married. He had a son Bill Jr. and was a single father by the time he was 18. In order to keep Bill out of orphanages, like he lived in as a child, he went to work at Vaughn Mill where he was a foreman. Billy worked there for a few years until he met Jeanna Lee Stocke at church. Jeanna was a Sun Valley girl and her dad, Bud Stocke, was the chief of the Sun Valley Fire Department. Bill and Jeanna married on June 23rd, 1956 and would be married for almost 58 years before Jeanna passed in 2014. Billy became a volunteer fire fighter with Sun Valley and served 3 years there before becoming a volunteer fire fighter with the City of Sparks. He would serve another 4 years as a volunteer before being hired on in 1962. Billy had found his purpose in firefighting and would frequently tell the men who worked with and for him that it wasn't a job, it was a life-long career. Bill and Jeanna would welcome a daughter, Violet in August of 1966. The family lived in Old Sparks until 1982 when Bill and Jeanna decided to build the ranch which was their home until their respective passing's. Billy was able to have horses and ride every day. Jeanna was able to have goats, sheep and chickens. Billy retired after 30 years with Sparks Fire Department as a Captain. In 1988 Billy started working Senior Pro Rodeo as well as High School, Junior and Truckee Pro rodeos. This led to his 30 plus years of service with the Reno Rodeo. He thought it was the best ten days of the year. He met many lifelong friends with the fire service and the rodeo who also became family to his family. Billy impressed on his kids that you have two families- the one you are born with and the one you make. He also believed the family you make is often as or more important than the one you are born with. Bill was known for being exceedingly honest, fair, kind and he was the first person many would call if they needed help. He lived by example and set a very high bar for his kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends. He was sarcastic, funny, a consummate joker and a storyteller. He played epic pranks at the fire station and his grandkids would beg to hear jokes he'd told a thousand times. He was known for making everyone laugh until they cried. Bill's great loves were his wife, his kids, grandkids, family, his horses and his dogs. For a boy who had nothing he thought he did alright. Bill also taught his kids to give back every chance they had. He would frequently say-if someone needs help-you help. It's that simple. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Jeanna and his nephew Frank Bailey who was raised by Billy and Jeanna. Bill is survived by his son Bill (Susan), daughter Violet, grandson Kellen Richards, Grandaughter Kiley Richards, Granddaughter Chandler Primak, Grandsons Tyson Vlahovich, Dylan Bailey, Jessie Woodruff and Robert Woodruff. Great grandchildren Marco Vlahovich, Brooklyn Bailey, Hailey and Kiera Woodruff. He is also survived by his nephews Greg Wenner, Tony Marini, and Eric Johnson and his nieces Tonya Marini Backlund, Joanne French and Jenny Iveson. He leaves behind his adopted Filipino family Marilyn Eduave, Melba Talancon, Helen Thompson, Sylvia Aufiero, Tito Trinidad and their respective families. Billy leaves behind many friends in Northern Nevada, chief among them Denny McKinnon and Joe Gandolfo, his best buddies and his fire, rodeo and rumnie families. Billy frequently remarked how fortunate he was to have them in his life and considered himself blessed. Services are to be held August 5th, 2022 at Mountain View Mortuary at 425 Stoke Avenue at 10 am with Internment at Masonic Gardens at Mountain View Cemetery. A reception to follow is being held at the Reno Elk's Lodge at 597 Kumle Lane and the family encourages people to tell stories or memories at the reception. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of Billy's favorite charities-Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Veteran's Guest House or the Nevada Humane Society in his name.