William Ernest Richardson, Jr.

William (Bill) Ernest Richardson, Jr., 75, of Fort Mill, died peacefully in his home on April 19, 2016. Bill was best known around town as the owner of The Knife Shop on Main Street, which he opened in 1988. Over the past 28 years, Bill served the town of Fort Mill, selling knives, antiques, and collectibles. He loved the shop almost as much as he loved his two shop cats, Sammy and Andy, both of whom could be seen sitting on his lap throughout his days at the shop.Bill was a kind, generous, and tender-hearted man. He would do whatever he could to help anyone down on their luck or who just needed someone to talk to. He believed the best of people and even in hard times, he would give others the benefit of the doubt. Bill was a loving and ever-present father to his children, always reminding them of his pride and love for them. When speaking of his wife Janette, he often said, “She’s really good to me. Janette is a good woman with a good heart.”Bill loved history, especially the Civil War period, and old cars from 1950’s and 1960’s. Buddy Holly was his all-time favorite musician; he would often recall coming home from school and hearing about Holly’s death. He was a voracious reader, and found his passion for painting later in life. He was particularly drawn to the Modernist painters, in particular Paul Klee. Visitors to The Knife Shop could enjoy his studies of the great European Modernists hanging on the walls. He was born in Jesup, GA on his grandmother’s bed on December 20, 1940. His fondest memories were of the time he spent in her home throughout his youth. He graduated High School in Savannah, GA. From 1963-1967 he served in the U.S. Air Force. He moved to York, South Carolina in 1973, then made Fort Mill his home in 1982 when he married his wife of almost 34 years, Janette Stallings Richardson.Surviving are his wife, Janette Stallings Richardson of Fort Mill; his sons, Billy Richardson of Rock Hill SC and Avery Faile and his wife, Janice Faile, of Killen, AL; his daughters, Karen Pigott of York SC, Pamela Richardson-Nowak and her husband, Stephen Nowak, of Charlotte NC, Reva Melton of Fort Mill and Kelly Faile of Waxhaw NC; his sister, Ann Dubberly of Fernandina Beach FL; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. His mother, Letha Nell Richardson, father, William Ernest Richardson, and his brother, Charles Steven Richardson preceded him in death.There will be no service per Bill’s request. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice and Community Care of Rock Hill.Read Obituary