Reverend Doctor William Clayton Richardson

Lakeland " William Clayton Richardson, 82, went to be with the Lord on June 21, 2014 due to heart failure. He was born on November 14, 1931 in Panama City, FL to Alberta and William Clayton Richardson, Sr. William graduated from Southeastern College and received a BA degree from Columbia Bible College in South Carolina. He received a Master of Arts degree from Florida State University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Erskine Theological Seminary in South Carolina. William became an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God in 1953. His pastoral ministries included churches in Cookeville, TN, Sumter, SC, Anderson, SC, and Winter Haven, FL. In 1970, he joined the faculty of Southeastern University and served as Professor of Practical Ministries and chaired the department. William served as president of the Alumni Association at SEU for 4 years. He developed the school""s ministerial internship program, traveling throughout the US and overseas. After 27 years, he retired from his faculty duties, but continued his ministry as an invited guest speaker, minister, and teacher throughout the US. William wore many hats in his life, which included: pastor, professor, counselor, family home and cabin builder, grove owner, rancher, mentor, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew him. William A.K.A. ""Doc"" is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Kennedy Richardson (August 15th would have been their 60th wedding anniversary); two daughters, Judy and Tim Stelman of Virginia Beach, VA; and Debi and Jack Hicks of Lakeland, FL; affectionately called ""Pa"" and ""Ma"" by three grandchildren, Benjamin Clayton Jones, Brittain Larry Jones, and Catherine Elizabeth Stelman. Those people whom William admired included many, but Arthur Graves, former president of SEU, held deep respect in his heart and served as an example of integrity, commitment, and humility. Proving academic degrees have limited value "" they are empty without a dedicated life in which men become men of God. Memorial gifts may be made to Teen Challenge of Georgetown, South Carolina. Service: 06/28/2014 Victory Church 1401 Griffin Rd. Lakeland, FL 33810 Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 06/27/2014 Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel