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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Ray Edward Richardson

Major Willie Ray “Bill” Richardson flew first- and second-generation jet fighter and trainer aircraft from the mid-1950s through 1968. He originally enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1948, was stationed in Guam, then served in Japan during the early part of the Korean War. He received his wings and
commission through a contract flight training program at Bainbridge Air Base, Georgia, in 1954, flying T-6 Texan and T-28 Trojan trainers; then moving to jets and joining a combat squadron with F-84 Thunderjets, eventually transitioning to F-86 Sabres. Bill flew in Korea after the war, then joined a unit with F-100 Super Sabres stateside, and later was deployed to Taiwan with Det. 1, 405th Fighter Wing. In the early 1960s he served as an instructor in the Air Training Command, flying T-33 Shooting Star and T-37 Tweet trainers. Maj. Richardson retired from the Air Force in 1968, completed a second career as a deputy sheriff in Shelby County, Tennessee, and ultimately passed away in 2014. This profile was created in loving memory by his son Ray E. Richardson, and his grandchildren Philip M. Richardson,Meredith C. Richardson, and Rebecca E. Richardson.