William Richard Tracy, 94, of Springfield, passed away on July 21, 2011 in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Mo.
He was born January 4, 1917 in Fair Grove, Mo, the son of James Auburn and Etta Wallace Tracy. On July 1, 1944, he married Geraldine Lambeth. They recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
Richard worked for 22 years at Springfield Grocer Company and later was employed and retired from Springfield Public Schools. Upon retiring, Richard and Geraldine moved to Richard’s home place in Fair Grove and lived there for 20 years before returning to Springfield. He faithfully attended High Street Baptist Church for 62 years, after having accepted Christ at a tent revival led by Rev. W.E. Dowell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wallace Hanes and James Ernest, and a sister, Pauline Yonkee.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, of the home, daughters, Janet Tracy, Springfield, Mo, Gayla Arnold and husband Dallas, Prairie Grove, Ar, and a granddaughter, Jaclyn Williams and husband, Jeremiah, Bentonville, Ar, He is also survived by sisters, Virginia Johnson and Sue Bates, Fair Grove, Mo, Barbara Smith and Darlene Dill, Springfield, brother, Vernal Tracy, Columbia, Mo, and sister in law, Jenora Sharpe, and brother in law, Clint Lambeth, both of Buffalo.
Visitation will be held at Greenlawn South Funeral Home on Sunday, July 24, form 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, at Greenlawn South with burial to follow in Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Fair Grove, Mo.
Memorial contributions to: Missions fund, at High Street Baptist Church.