William Richardson

William “Bill” H. Richardson, of Kansas City, MO passed away on August 5, 2021.

Bill was born on June 4, 1951 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania to James Kyle and Harriet (Beckner) Richardson. Bill grew up in Clairton, Pennsylvania where he began his lifelong journey working in the scrap metal industry. This journey would see him as a long-haul trucker, leading him down almost every highway in the lower 48 states and the opportunity to become an expert in operating anything with an engine. In 1983, this journey led him to Kansas City, Missouri where he formed connections working for various companies. In 2004, Bill’s hard won experience and ironclad work ethic culminated in the creation of his own business, 12th Street Recycling.

Bill was a hardworking man and took great pride in the success of his company. Never taking his success for granted, he touched the lives of many doing whatever he could to personally help those in need. He might have been tough as nails on the outside, but on the inside, he had the biggest heart of gold – and stainless steel.

When he wasn’t hard at work, he enjoyed fixing up old muscle cars, driving his ’66 Nova, and talking on the phone to family and friends. On Sundays, he looked forward to watching the Pittsburgh Steelers play football and always reminisced about the Steel Curtain from the 70’s. He was also an avid bowler playing in many leagues and tournaments where he knocked down the infamous 7-10 split. Recently, he fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams of learning to fly and started taking lessons to get his pilot’s license. Most of all, Bill loved winning the “Bens” playing blackjack and his favorite slot machines at Argosy Casino. When it came to gambling (and everything else), he was the luckiest man in the world.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jesse. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 38 years, Paula; children, Billy (wife, Lori) and Crystal (fiancé, Sam Atagana); brothers, Curt (wife, Madeline), Moe, and Danny Paul (wife, Sandy); sister-in-law, Joann; and nephews.