William P. “Bill” Richard, Jr. age 89, died Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at St. Francis Hospital.A native of Plaquemine, LA, he graduated from St. John Catholic High School. He earned a B.A. degree in Science in the College of Education at Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Liberal and Technical Learning, now the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, LA.His college education was interrupted to serve in the Korean War where he served as a chief flight engineer in the United States Air Force. Honorably discharged, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, and Commendation Ribbon.After the war, he completed his education and began working at Alinco in Bryan, TX, where he worked in special projects helping to develop new business opportunities. He then worked as operations manager for Southwestern Aluminum in Monroe which made windows. While at Columbia Carbon Company in Swartz, LA he was granted a U.S. patent for an apparatus allowing access to a pressurized fluid chamber. He was the electrical and special machines supervisor. He also worked at Dittco as plant manager.After retirement, he taught at Delta Community College, Louisiana Technical College, Bastrop campus. Among the subjects he taught were business math, truck driving and CAD (computer aided design).His lifelong hobby was drawing plans for and building model airplanes. He developed a love of aircraft when as a child during World War II he learned to identify planes by their silhouettes.Bill was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Ann Richard. They were married 33 years. Also preceding him in death were his parents William P. and Mrs. (Rita) Richard, Sr.He is survived by his four children Jackie (Victor) Baff of Sulphur, LA; Margaret (John) Baird of Baton Rouge, LA; William J. Richard of Sterlington, LA; and Pat (Paul) Brawley of Medina, TN; and one grandchild Ryan Baird of Baton Rouge, LA.The family extends their gratitude to his caregivers Cynthia Kahn, Sissy Santiny and Susan Parker; his physicians Dr. Julia Rodgers and Dr. Kevin Cline; Nurse Practitioner Lauren Erwin; and the numerous nurses, CNA's and staff of St. Francis Hospital.Visitation will be held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1200 Lamy Lane, Monroe, LA from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Thursday, July 19 followed by a scripture and rosary service to begin at 6:30 pm. Deacon Scott Brandle will officiate.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Friday, July 20, at St. Matthew Catholic Church located in downtown Monroe. The Rev. Mark Franklin will be the celebrant.Members of St. Matthew Catholic Church Morning Men's Group will serve as pallbearers.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church.Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.