William "Bill" Martin Richards, 84, of Casar, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Atrium Health - Cabarrus.

Born in Cleveland County, on November 6, 1939, he was the son of the late William Elmer Richards and Mayzelle Martin Richards. He was retired from Overnite Transportation, and a life long member of Double Shoals United Methodist Church. He also served in the Army National Guard for eight years. Bill was a talented musician playing the guitar and banjo. He also had an amazing singing voice and sang regularly at church. Our home was always filled with music.

Throughout Bill's life he enjoyed fishing and gardening, especially his roses. After his retirement he would become the oldest man to receive his pilots license at seventy years old from Rutherford County Airport and enjoyed ten years of flying his own plane, a Cesna 152.

Bill was a happy and generous person. He was kind to everyone he met. He had a quick wit and a great since of humor.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by three sisters, Charlene Putnam, Jody Willis, Mary Blanton.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years Iris Griffin Richards; three children, Robin Wylie and husband Stuart of Kill Devil Hills, Eric Richards and partner Helen Malone of Kannapolis; and Jamie Rooney and husband John of Boydon, VA; a sister Paula Marshall and husband Bill of Lawndale; seven grand children and eight great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home, Fallston.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 2:00 PM at Double Shoals United Methodist Church with the Rev. Melissa Peeler officiating.

The burial will follow the service in the Rose Hill Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Double Shoals United Methodist Church, 3214 Yates Road, Shelby, NC 28150.

A guest register is available at www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, NC.