Willard J. "Bill" Rickard

Willard J. “Bill” Rickard, 86, of Downingtown, and formerly of Lancaster County PA and South Carolina, passed away March 31, 2026 at Paoli Hospital.

A U.S. Army Veteran born September 5, 1939, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Willard valued his service to his country, an experience that shaped much of his life’s foundation. After his military service, he pursued a career as a salesman of sewing machinery, and was later ordained as a minister. He was most recently a member of Christ First Church in Downingtown, PA, where he found spiritual guidance and community, including devoted care from the members of “Team Bill” who supported his aging in place for the last several years of his life.

Willard is survived by his current wife, Maureen "Reenie" Rickard of Easley, South Carolina, and his daughter, Karen E. Rickard, of Villas, New Jersey. Willard was preceded in death by previous wife, Charleen Rickard (nee Whitby), as well as his parents, Willard D. and Margaret H. (Carswell) Rickard.

Family and friends are invited to Willard’s Visitation on April 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Donohue Funeral Home - Downingtown, located at 43 W. Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335. A Funeral Service for Willard will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Donohue Funeral Home - Downingtown, located at 43 W. Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335 followed by interment at Philadelphia Memorial Park 124 Phoenixville Pike, Frazer, PA 19355.

To honor Willard’s memory, contributions may can be made in his name to Christ First Church, 95 West Devon Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335.