William Alexander Richards, Jr., of Miami Beach, Florida, courageously entered eternal peace at Mount Sinai Medical Center Hospital in Miami Beach on February 3, 2021. William was born on October 30, 1932, and raised in the town of Frederiksted on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He was 88 years old.
William was baptized at and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on St. Croix and attended Gesú Catholic Church in Miami for many years. He was also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
William was predeceased by his beloved parents: William “Sargie” Alexander Richards, Sr., Thelma Sophia Plaskett Richards; grandparents: Reginald Plaskett, Eugenie Marie Brown Plaskett, William Alexander Richards, Felecia Nathan Richards; brothers: Muhammad Rafi “Lloyd L. Richards”, Warren T. Richards, Anselm G. Richards, Verne I. Richards, Chester E. Richards; son: Gary A. Richards
He is survived by his precious:
Brothers: Meredith H. Richards (Helen), Lothrop M. Richards (Rafaella)
Sister-in-law: Estella Richards (Warren)
Children: Rita “Sheri” Charlene Richards, Janine Alexa Richards, William Alexander “Shambu” Richards III, Thelma Patrice Gloster (Vance), Kenneth “Kumasi” Anthony Richards (Jacquelyn); Suzette Joy Richards, Judith Analisa Richards
Stepson: Stephen Brian Jones (Magalene)
Grandchildren: Anisha Richards, Danika Richards, Roland “Rojo” Jones, Kumasi Richards, Eboni Joseph, Tynasha Crawford (David), Ashley Jones, Alexa Guerra, Michael Justin Joseph, Safiya Richards, Ameera Richards, Croix Bennett (Greg), Jakeema Richards Hughes, Jumanne Richards, Aaron Cornelius, Jordan Gloster; T’shylah Greenidge, K’shynah Greenidge
Step Grandchildren: Takeya Savage; Al Pennyfeather, Jay Pennyfeather, Allen Pennyfeather, Marcus Gloster; Stephen Jones, Tiffany Jones, Gary Jones
Great Grandchildren: S’Mai Hawkins, Zia Maragh, Zayden Joseph, Zamir Harrison, Liam Joseph, Kevin Gaddy, Isla Jones, Penelope Bennett, Rylee Bennett, Skylar Niles, Timeera Niles, Empress Giddings, Khai Curtis, Jasa Ferguson, Amani Richards, Kissah Richards, Shylah Richards, Kalynda Richards, Alyanna Hughes, Jorel Hughes; Lucas Crawford
Step Great Grandchildren: Enajah Savage, Phoenix Savage, Jahmiah Savage, Alisha Pennyfeather, Adjahni Pennyfeather, Jayden Pennyfeather, Jaiha Pennyfeather, Luke Pennyfeather, Ahren Pennyfeather, Alainah Pennyfeather, Taigan Pennyfeather; Cataleya Monae Jones
Nieces: Cynthia Rafi Burroughs, Iris Rafi, Caramia Rafi Monyer, Denise Richards, Monique Richards, Bernadette Richards, Lynell Richards, Thresa Richards, Leah Richards, Renate Richards, Nevada Richards, Gia Richards, Kim Richards
Nephews: Ahmad ”Kim” Rafi, Vargrave Richards, Glendale Richards, Darrand Richards, Sheldon Richards, Raymond “Usie” Richards, Windell Richards, Avery Richards, Elston Richards, Mark Richards, Meredith Richards, Jr., Lothrop Richards, Jr.
Other survivors include First Cousins: Marceline Plaskett, Seline Plaskett, Raphael ”Bucky” Plaskett, Alma Plaskett Christensen, Terrence Plaskett, Levinski Plaskett, Carl Plaskett, Raymond Plaskett, Yvonne Plaskett
Beloved Families too numerous to mention: Plaskett, Richards, Clarke, Brown, Prince
God Child: Valerie Prince
Special Nieces and Nephews: Denise Richards, Vargrave Richards, Cherise Richards, Mariska Richards, Juanita Woods, Gizele Ponder, Jonathan Richards, Janice Lewis, Kim Cardoso
Special Friends: O’Neal Abel, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Brown, Roland Benjamin, Shadrach Gill, Lauren Safady, Odelia Nesbitt, Otto Latimer, Pauline Bryan, Mercedes Fabio, Abramson Family, Messer Family
Thank you to the team of doctors and nurses at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida as well as the Miami Veterans Hospital, Veterans Affairs in Miami, Florida, and the Veterans Affairs Office on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Viewing is private. Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM on March 12, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Church Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Attendees limited to 50. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health regulations, please practice social distancing and masks must be worn at all times.
Interment will be at the Frederiksted Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Kidney Foundation and American Heart Association.
Arrangements are under the care of James Funeral Home, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
