Lloyd Wayland Richards, Captain, USN (Ret.) passed away peacefully Oct. 26, 2017 with his loving family by his side in Phoenix, Ariz. Lloyd was born in Tecumseh, Neb. on March 1, 1931 (St. David’s day in Wales) to Lloyd R. and Esther (Rice) Richards. Growing up in Nebraska with younger brother Kenneth and sister Elizabeth, one would not expect that Lloyd would find a career in the Navy. Yet, while attending the University of Rochester, Lloyd became deeply involved with the Naval ROTC, which sealed his career. There he met and married his first wife Joy E. Riefler, the mother of his four children: eldest son Jeffrey and daughters Holly, Tamara and Monica. Joy passed in 1971 and Lloyd married the love of his life, Leola White in 1972.

Lloyd’s career in the Navy advanced rapidly as a pilot of both the A-3 Skywarrior and A-6A Intruder. During the Vietnam conflict, Lloyd deployed seven times aboard USN carriers, serving in Attack and Heavy Attack Squadrons VA-215, VA-122, VAH-123, VAH-2, VA-128 and VA-196 earning the Bronze Star. In 1969, Lloyd was shot down and severely wounded over Laos, earning him a Purple Heart. Upon recovery, Lloyd returned to combat as the commanding officer of Attack Squadron VA-196. Returning to the States, Lloyd attended and completed an MS degree at the National War College in Washington D.C., achieving the rank of captain and serving at the Pentagon.

Upon retirement, Lloyd along with Leola sold real estate for 24 years in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. His recreational interests were golf and lawn bowling.

Predeceasing Lloyd are his parents, his first wife Joy, his daughter Tamara and grandson Jesiah Richards.

Surviving him are wife Leola, younger siblings Ken and Liz, his son and remaining daughters, 17 remaining grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

Interment will occur at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a later date.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Navy League, Oak Harbor Area Council, P.O. Box 847, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.