William Albert (Bill) Rickords

William Albert (Bill) Rickords, 72, of Moore, OK, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021 due to complications from an extended illness. Bill was born June 3,1948 in Arkansas City, KS to Albert and Wanda (Clark) Rickords. He had two younger siblings, sister Vickie and brother Bob. Bill graduated from Ark City High School in 1966 and friends will remember him “dragging” Summit St. in his blue truck. Bill had a thirst for knowledge and attended Kansas State College of Pittsburg (PSU). He graduated in 1970, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology. On April 3, 1971, he married Connie Jo Wood and they made their home in Ponca City, OK. Together they raised their daughter, Stacey Lynn. He emphasized the importance of education and encouraged Stacey to set high goals. Bill continued this encouragement with his only grandchild, Will. He enjoyed a career with Conoco/DuPont/Phillips in Industrial Safety, allowing him to work in several states including Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, until his disability forced him to retire. After retirement, he moved back to Kansas, then Oklahoma to be closer to family. Bill will be remembered for his love of rock-n-roll music, which was played loudly and often. He liked spending his Friday and Saturday nights at The Fox and Cassiopeia’s, where his friends knew him as “Mr. Bill”. He was a kid at heart when it came to Christmas. He loved giving gifts, but most of all, couldn’t wait to open them!! After retirement he developed a taste for the arts, winning local awards for his photography and experimenting with new recipes. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Albert Rickords and Wanda (Clark) Rickords; grandparents Leveret and Anna (Messner) Rickords and Elmer and Layla (Franklin) Clark. Survivors include daughter Stacey (Rickords) Sprayberry and her husband, Greg of Norman, OK; sister Vickie Rickords of Moore, OK; brother Bob Rickords and his wife Pam, of Lone Grove, OK; grandson Will Sprayberry of Moore; nephew Robert Rickords Jr. and his wife, Lauren of Haslet, TX; niece Teresa Holloway and her husband Jim, of Arkansas City, KS; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. The family will host a public visitation honoring Bill from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Tribute Memorial Care, 708 24th Avenue NW #300, Norman, Oklahoma. There will be a private graveside service, followed by burial at Parker Cemetery in Arkansas City, KS on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Memorial donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Arrangements for Bill and his family were placed in the care of Asa Smith Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.