Beloved husband, father, and Pawpaw, William (Billy) Rich, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 18, 2026, leaving behind his cherished family and many life-long friends.
Born on September 28, 1942, to Thesta and Jack Rich, Billy grew up in Lisbon, Louisiana with his younger brother James Robert (Rip). Lisbon always had a special place in his heart. He graduated from Lisbon High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University from 1960 – 61. After spending several years working with Hinton Well Service, he was drafted and served in the US Army.
On August 11,1967, he married the love of his life, Frances Mitcham Rich. Together they built a life in Ruston, Louisiana where they raised their two daughters, Lisa and Lori. Billy and his family were active members of Temple Baptist Church where he chaperoned youth trips, served in VBS, volunteered for BCM, and served on the hospitality and bereavement committees.
During his thirty-seven-year tenure as a Frito-Lay salesman in North Louisiana, he never met a stranger, nor forgot a face. Everyone knew his passion for his job, and his joy of life that overflowed into everything he did. When he wasn’t talking to someone in the aisle of a store, you could find him working in his garden or planning his Friday night fish fry. His philosophy was always the more the merrier. After retiring from Frito Lay, his heart was in Texas with his four grandchildren who he loved dearly.
Billy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances Mitcham Rich; daughter Lisa Williams (husband Mark); daughter Lori Spellman (husband Patrick); grandchildren Molly Williams, Max Williams, Caroline Spellman, and Jackson Spellman; his brother James Robert (Rip) Rich (wife Dee); sisters-in-law; Sondra Odom (husband Reed) and Wanda Mitcham; nephews, Greg Burns, Jeff Mitcham, David Mitcham; nieces, Jennifer Thomas, Jaimie Rich, Stacy Burns; other family members and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thesta and Jack Rich; his in-laws, Elton and Mary Mitcham; brother-in-law, Paul Mitcham; and nephew, Stephen Mitcham.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Temple Baptist Church Chapel in Ruston, LA. Officiating the service will be Rev. Jason Walsworth. Interment will follow at Lisbon Methodist Cemetery in Lisbon, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.
A visitation for family and friends will be 1:00 PM until service time at Temple Baptist Church Chapel in Ruston, LA.
Billy will be remembered for his love of life, his joy of cooking and serving others, and his ability to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Pallbearers will be Greg Burns, Jeff Mitcham, David Mitcham, Garrett Mitcham, Jackson Spellman, and Max Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Cecil Barham’s Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Temple Missions or Lisbon Methodist Cemetery Fund.
