William "Bill" Richards

William "Bill" Morris Richards, a resident of Egin Bench, Idaho, passed away October 15,2024 at the Homestead Assisted Living in Rexburg, Idaho of causes incident to age. Bill was born September 8,1930 in Twin Groves to Ralph and Myrtle Richards.
He was raised in Twin Groves where he and his brothers and sisters helped on the family farm. He attended the first through eighth grade in Twin Groves and then graduated from South Fremont High School. He also attended a semester at BYU in Provo. After that, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Western States Mission from 1949-1951. He had a strong testimony of the Church and he has held several church callings including counselor in two bishoprics.
After his mission, he spent 2 years in the U.S. Army. He did basic training at Fort Ord, California and after that he was transferred to Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
He married Melvena Staley in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 31, 1953. They met at a dance at the Armory in St. Anthony and continued to dance the rest of their married life. They loved to square dance and enjoyed being members of the Holiday Dance Club.
They made their living farming and ranching in Egin and Twin Groves where they have farmed and raised cattle. He won Grassman of the Year because of his operation in Twin Groves. They milked a few cows and sold the milk to Hopperdietzel Cheese Factory. When he was newly married, he would sort potatoes at Tibbitts warehouse in the winter to help supplement their farm income.
He continued to expand his farm and cattle operation with the help of his family. He had a cattle ranch in Montana and later, one in Driggs. He sold them later in life to be able to build his cabin on Henry's Lake.
His hobbies include woodworking, hunting, fishing on Henry's Lake, snowmobiling, ranching, breaking Shetland ponies, cutter racing and restoring antique tractors.
He is survived by one brother, Randell, his 6 children, Teresa (Weston) Klingler, Kevin, Todd (Julie), Tammy (Max) Egbert, Daris and Jared. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Melvena, 3 brothers, Darrell, Val, and Cleve. Also 3 sisters, Marva, Vila and Veda.
Funeral services will be held on Monday October 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Egin Bench LDS Chapel, 1633 East 400 North. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 5:30 unto 7:00 p.m. and on Monday from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. both times at the church. Burial will be in the Parker Cemetery with military rites. Arrangements are through Bert Flamm Mortuary.
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