Guy W. Richards
February 1, 1943 – September 20, 2021
On Monday, Sept. 20, Guy Willard Richards, loving husband of Shirley and father of two children, a son, Guy “Robbie” and a daughter Ronelle, along with two stepdaughters, Christy, and Nicole, passed away at the age of 78 and is now with his Heavenly Father.
Guy was born in Rigby, Idaho, on Feb. 1, 1943, to Shirley and Gladys Richards (née Harris). The Richardses were dryland farmers from old pioneer stock. The family moved to Moses Lake, Washington, in 1953 where Guy graduated high school in 1961. He excelled at sports, lettering in both baseball and basketball. Guy also served in the National Guard post-high school.
Sports were a lifelong passion for Guy, an avid golfer, bowler, and ardent fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. The passion for sports has passed down to his children and grandchildren.
Guy married Barbara Pippins in August of 1965, having a daughter Ronelle, raised in Moses Lake.
Guy married Shirley Paczynski in June of 1979, having a son Guy “Robbie” and gaining two stepdaughters Christy and Nicole, raising them in Washington and Oregon.
Guy was an astute businessman, starting and managing several businesses over his lifetime including R&M Feedstore in Moses Lake, a 7-Eleven store in Pasco, Guy’s Villa Mart in Milton-Freewater and potato chip distribution in Moscow-Pullman, finally retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in Pullman. The family moved to Kennewick in 2009 to be closer to relatives.
Family was a key element of Guy’s life, spending as much time as he could traveling to visit children and grandchildren in Texas, Oklahoma and Washington.
In addition to sports, Guy’s favorite hobby was carpentry, making furniture and keepsakes for family and friends.
Guy will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was a kind, loving, generous man of high character, always ready to help others.
Guy is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Ronelle (husband Wayne), son Guy “Robbie” (wife Adrian), stepdaughters Christy and Nicole, sisters Linda and Debbie, a brother Rod, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Guy was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Darryl, a sister Jerry, grandson Michael and great-grandson Ashtyn.
A reception and celebration of life will take place Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at the LDS Ridgeline Ward, 10376 Ridgeline Drive, Kennewick, followed by a graveside service at 4 p.m. at Pioneer Gardens, 14403 Road 2 NE, Moses Lake.
We know from scripture God has a place for us after death. In John 14:2 Jesus tells his disciples that, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”