Willard E. Rickson

Willard E. "Bill" Rickson was born April 29, 1919 in Wheatland, Missouri to William Edward and Effie Riddle Rickson. He grew up on a farm near Wheatland and attended schools there. He enlisted in the Army in April, 1942 where he served in the Medical Department until his discharge in January of 1946. He married Mary L. Sheard on July 2, 1943. She died on October 29, 1981. He married Freda Hackler on November 15, 1986. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Janet Fisher of Tucson, Arizona, one step-son, Steven Hackler of Missoula, Montana, one granddaughter, three step-grandchildren and two great-stepgrandchildren, two sisters, Grace Jordon of Warrensburg, Mo. and Ruby Parsons of Holden, Mo. He was preceded in death by one son, Karl Rickson and one step-son, Roger Hackler. He retired from Dupont in 1981. He was a member of West Side Christian Church and the TOPEKS Camping Club. Services will be at 11:0 a.m. Monday at West Side Christian Church. Graveside Committal Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Esbon Cemetery, Esbon, Ks. Mr. Rickson will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be given to West Side Christian Church, 432 S.W. Lindenwood, Topeka, Ks. 66606 or to Midland Hospice Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, Ks. 66606. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.penwellgabel.com