QUEENSBURY--- William "Bill" L. Richards, 87, of Ridge Road, Queensbury for nearly 50 years, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Glens Falls Hospital, due to complications from acute leukemia.

Born May 1, 1926, in Fargo, North Dakota, he was the son of the late Kathryn (Moore) (Richards) Harvey and William Lee Richards, Sr.

In 1943, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving his country as a rear gunner during WWII over the Pacific being honorably discharged in 1946. Shortly after, he met Marilyn J. Pratt through mutual friends in Hollywood, California, and later married in April of 1950.

During the mid-fifties and early sixties, Bill worked as a metallurgist in the early stages of the missile industry in Los Angeles, California. Later he and his family moved back to the Glens Falls/ Lake George region, where he had spent his childhood and became an antique dealer, then later worked in different home-building sales and management positions.

Bill loved history and put a great deal of effort into investigating all the different facets of local and regional history. He enjoyed cars, antiques, and loved investigating all the old houses in this area and what their history was. He also built reproduction furniture and was a Master Gardener. Most of all, he loved to entertain the masses with song and playing his horn, the trombone. Both Bill and Marilyn played in their own band or on their own for nearly sixty years. He also loved a good conversation with friends and relatives on many of his favorite topics and had a good sense of humor.

Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by his son, Stephen C. Richards, and Bill's sister, Constance "BeBe" Richards.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marilyn Richards of Queensbury; two children, Dinah Lee (Richards)Kawaguchi and two grandchildren Kathryn L. Kawaguchi and Daniel M. Kawaguchi, all of whom live in upstate N.Y.

At Bill's request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services.

Burial will take place in the spring at Seelye's Cemetery, Ridge Road, Queensbury.

Donations, in loving memory of Bill, may be made to Crandall Public Library, C/O the Folk Life Center, 251 Glen Street, City park, Glens Falls, NY 12801.

The family wishes to thank all of Bill's friends, other family members, and the medical staff at Glens Falls Hospital and HHHN for all of their care and compassion.

Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St.,Queensbury, NY 12804, or emailed through bakerfuneralhome.com.