G. William Richards
G. William Richards (December 15, 1918–November 30, 2005) was a prominent Latter-day Saint composer and organist. Two of his hymns are included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise" (# 297) and "'Twas Witnessed in the Morning Sky" (#12). He was also a member of the Hymnbook Executive Committee that selected and organized this hymnbook.
Richards was the son of Stayner Richards, and his mother was the former Jane Taylor. He was the great-grandson of Willard Richards.
As a young man, Richards served as a missionary in the Eastern States Mission. He was, however, transfered to the California Mission to serve as organist of the Church's exhibit at the San Francisco World's Fair.
Richards served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a chaplain's assistant and carried an organ with him. He was involved in the Battle of the Bulge as well as the liberation of some German death camps.
Richards then studied at the University of California, Berkeley, the Manhattan School of Music, and Columbia University. He later was a faculty member at New York University as well as serving as organist for various non-denominational services held in Carnegie Hall. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Hymn Society of America for twenty-two years.
Brother Richards married Claire Dyreng, whom he met while they were both music students in New York, in the Manti Utah Temple in August of 1955. They had four children. Richards later moved his family to Reno, Nevada, where he served as executive vice-president of the Nevada Division of the American Cancer Society. When he was appointed Director of Reports for the national office, he moved his family to New Jersey and he commuted to New York City.
After he retired, Richards took courses at Utah Technical College (now Utah Valley University) in building and construction so he could build his family a cabin.
Richards served in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including as bishop of the Manhattan Ward and as a member of a stake high council. . Bill then served fourteen years as organist for the Tourists' Devotionals in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
Sources
- Deseret News, December 5, 2005, Obituary
- Karen Lynn Davidson. Stories of Our Latter-day Saint Hymns. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1988) p. 430.
