James Richards

James Winfred Richards, 83 of Abilene, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021.  Funeral service will be on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, with burial to follow at the Atoka Cemetery in Novice.  A visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

James was born on the old Clayton Home Place in Runnels County on January 12, 1938 to Lonella Clayton Richards and J.W. Richards.  He worked for five years at the First Coleman National Bank in Coleman, and 25 years for First State Bank in Abilene as Senior Vice President.  After that, he worked for Redlee Janitorial for 30 years.

James married Anno Allen Richards in 1990.  He and Anno loved to travel, visiting all 50 states in the U.S.  James loved to hunt and fish and loved to go to the rodeo.  He was a member of the Lions Club and was the youngest mayor in Texas as the mayor of Novice.  He served on the school board at Novice for 10 years.  James was a good husband, father, grandfather and Christian.  He and Anno worked with the young college age group at the 11 ^th and Willis Church of Christ for over 5 years.

James was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and Lonella Richards.  He is survived by his wife Anno Richards; first wife Wahlasha Richards; son, Clay Richards and his wife Vanessa of Oplin, Texas; sons Randy Christian of Austin and Nick Christian of Bella Vista, Arkansas; sister Billie Cox and husband Billy Mac Cox of Novice; nephew Malcom Cox and wife Cassie of Hobbs, New Mexico; and grandchildren Drey and Colt Richards and Connor, Chase and Allison Christian, plus 3 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alpha Omega Hospice, Atoka Cemetery at Novice, or Sam's Place.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.