Walter D. Richardson

Elder Walter D. Richardson, Jr., age 84 of Massillon went to be with the Lord on June 9, 2015. He was born December 27, 1930 in Mansfield to the late Walter D. and Rosella M. (Thomas) Richardson, Sr. Walter graduated from Washington High School. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to Massillon he became the second black police officer to serve on the Massillon Police Department. After serving on the Police Department, he went on to work at Superior Brand Meats, where he retired and then worked for Massillon City Schools as a bus driver retiring after 18 years of service. He was called to the ministry under the late Suffragan Bishop Ralph Byrd, Sr., of Greater Bethel Apostolic Church. He later went on to become a member of the House the Lord, under the leadership of Bishop Joey Johnson. Walter was avid body-builder. He also enjoyed gardening, and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by four children: Toni (Ray) Johnson , Joy Richardson, Troy Richardson and Jackie (Edward) Dudley; eleven grandchildren, Jamil, Malik, Chace (Adrianna), Eboni (Ken), Maria, Ciara, Andrew, Marcus, Nathan, Alyssa, Troy "Guy" , and five great grandchildren, Shantel, Tre'von, Kennedy, Kingston, Khia; two brothers and three sisters, Barbara Hill, Reggie (Cheryl) Richardson, Ruth Rodgers, Victoria (Ski) Lawler, Winston (Renee) Richardson; brother-in-law , William Murphy; sister-in-law, Bernice Richardson, close friend, Bishop Gerald Evans, God-son, BJ Evans and a host of relatives and friends. Walter was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Virginia L. (Murphy) Richardson, and a son Michael Richardson. Condolences may be made to the family at 1520 Ballinger Avenue S.E., Massillon, Ohio 44646. A Home Going Celebration will be Saturday, June 13th, at 1 PM at Greater Bethel Apostolic Church, in Canton. Friends may call from 12 PM until the service. Messages of support may be made at www.paquelet.com. A special Thank You to the 2nd floor Nursing Staff of Affinity Medical Center, Dr. Chow, Dr. Lababidi, Dr. Brar, and Crossroads Hospice. Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory 330-833-3222