Mr. Willie Richey

Obituary Willie Walton Richey, Jr., affectionately called "Junior" by his family, was an only child and was the apple of his mother's eye. Born March 16, 1945, to Frenchie Thomas and Willie W. Richey, Sr., he believed in living life to the fullest. Growing up in Kansas City along with cousins Harold and Jerry Kernal, who were close in age and were almost like brothers to Willie. The three helped to raise Harold and Jerry's younger sisters, Patrice, Carmelita, and Michelle. Both his parents, his wife Lolita, and cousin Harold, all proceeded him in death. Willie was educated in the Kansas City Public Schools, where he grew and developed and made many friends. He graduated from Southeast High School in Kansas City, and afterward attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, now known as The University of Central Missouri. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and completed Officer Training School and was then promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Willie served a tour in Vietnam and safely returned home. Willie met and fell in love with Lolita Kelley and her son, Richard, who lived in the historic Quindaro neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas. He relocated to Denver, Colorado to be with her, where they married and were Blessed with a second son, Jason Scott. Willie and Lolita relocated from Denver to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, built a successful business, and retired. They later moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, while supporting son Jason as he attended The University of Arizona and played on the varsity basketball team. There was no father more proud than Willie. He was a devoted and loving husband to Lolita until her passing in 2019 due to Alzheimers. Willie enjoyed the finer things in life, including luxury cars and boats, and owned several of each. He like to play golf, travel, and watch old black and white western movies. He also loved a spirited debate and was known to engage fully to the end without giving in. Along with his wife, Willie reared his two sons with loving care and guidance to the best of his ability. He was a generous and giving person, who was always there when he was needed, frequently lending support to friends and loved ones. He was loved and will be missed. His legacy will live on through his offspring and people whose lives he touched. He leaves to cherish his memory sons Jason Richey (Karime) of Kansas City, and Richard (Gisela) of Pearl City, Hawaii, grandchildren Jayse and Karize Richey, of Temecula, California, Kenya and Nikita Richey of Pearl City, Hawaii, cousins Jerry Kernal (Shirley) of Chicago, Illinois, Patrice Meadows (Bill) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Carmelita Dunmore (Willie) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Michelle Long of Kansas City, half-sister Kim Bradshaw (Michael) , Missouri, and special friends Rick Tabor of Chicago, Illinois, Robert "Bud" Herndon (Robbie) of Kansas City and Robert Helm; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors and friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The Alzheimers Association www.alz.org 800-272-3900. Alzheimers Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org 866-232-8484. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022, 3:00pm at Mt. Calvary COGIC. Private Disposition. Visitation will be from 1:00pm- 3:00pm at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Willie Richey, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mr. Willie Richey

March 16, 1945 - August 8, 2022