Mr. Charles W. Richards III

C.W. “Bozo” Richards III of West Union, SC passed away on Thursday evening, February 2, 2017 at AM Med Health Center in Anderson, SC, where he was surrounded by his family. Bozo was 85 at the time of his death. Mr. Richards was born in Rumford, ME on December 29, 1931. He was the only child of the late Barbara and Charles W. Richards II. Bozo graduated from North York High School in York, Pennsylvania, where he was a decorated track star and soccer player. He attended Carnegie Tech (Carnegie Mellon) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Printing Management and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Mr. Richards served in the U.S Army in the 86th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division of the XVIII Airborne Corps and was stationed in Germany during the Cold War. On June 6, 1953 Bozo Richards was married to Ruth “Molly” Ruby, in York PA. Molly preceded Bozo in death in October 2006 in West Union, SC. Mr. Richards enjoyed a multi-decade professional career in the paper industry, which began by working for International Paper Company in New York City. During his career, he resided in the following locations: upstate New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and finally in Wilton, Connecticut, where he resided for twenty-six years. He concluded his lengthy, successful career when he retired from Midtec Paper Corporation headquartered New York, NY as Vice President of Sales at the age of 63, at which time he moved with his wife to Oconee County, South Carolina. In retirement Bozo was an avid golfer, regularly playing at the Falcon Lair golf course in Walhalla, SC. He was also a zealot fan of Clemson football and was often seen riding his Segway to the Tigers’ games. Bozo also enjoyed many days on Lake Keowee, where he fed more fish then he caught, and where throughout the years provided his grandchildren with countless hours of enjoyment with waterskiing, tubing and boating. Mr. Richards was active in Oconee County politics, functioning as the campaign manager for his long-time friend and County Council member Wayne McCall. Bozo also served as a multi-term member of the Oconee County Planning Commission. A man of deep faith, Mr. Richards worshipped at the Salem United Methodist Church of Salem, SC. Bozo is survived by his son, C.W. “Richie” Richards IV and his wife Donna of Cary, NC and his daughter Amy Marshall and her husband Gregory of Bridgeport, CT. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Cara Byrne (Jed), C.W. “Chip” Richards V, Mary-Megan Marshall and April-Ann Marshall (Matthew). A Memorial Service will be held at the Salem United Methodist Church of Salem, SC on Saturday, February, 25, 2017 starting at 11:30 am. Please feel free to show your Clemson Tiger Pride by wearing orange. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bozo’s memory to Relief Effort for Senior Taxes (REST), at REST c/o Keith and Lois Seitz 329 Jumping Branch Road, Tamassee, SC 29686 or Salem United Methodist Church, 502 Church Street, P.O. Box 42, Salem, SC 29676

Mr. Charles W. Richards III

December 29, 1931 - February 2, 2017