James W. Richardson, age 95, formerly of Ashton, died of natural causes in Biloxi, Miss. on Oct. 25, 2017. He was born and raised in Marseilles, Ill. He was a star athlete in high school and lettered in basketball and baseball at Northern Illinois University.

He left college to enlist in the United States Marine Corp when World War II began. He saw action in Bougainville, B.S.I., Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. He was seriously wounded in Iwo Jima and received several medals including the Purple Heart. He took a teaching and coaching job in Ashton, after the war. He was primarily an insurance representative and lived in Ashton until his move to an assisted living facility in Biloxi, Miss. three years before his death.

Jim was preceded in death by a daughter, Cathy, a son, Robie, a grandson, Brett McClain, and a granddaughter, Nikki VanHamme.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Myrtle Richardson, daughters Dixie (Eldon) McClain of Ocean Springs, Miss. and Marilyn Balsam of Rockford, son Craig (Teri) Richardson of Bettendorf, Iowa; grandsons Matt McClain, Jim McClain, David Balsam, Luke Richardson, Jesse Richardson, granddaughters Jennifer Lozzio and Heather Mertz. He is also survived by eight great granddaughters and four great grandsons, and a sister Eleanor (Richard) Pearce of Marseilles.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Ashton United Methodist Church. Burial with military rites will take place at the Ashton Cemetery.