Mr. William Preston Richardson

Lloyd was born on June 03, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the first of seven (7) children. When Lloyd was just a baby, his mother, Edna Richardson, who worked in New York at the time, brought him home to her parents, who at that time were stationed in St. Eustatius. His Cousin, Gloria Millard, who lived with her grandparents, has been reminiscing since Lloyd’s passing. She told of how happy she was to have her first baby, she being a child herself, to take care of when his mom brought him home. Lloyd was a crier she said. When Lloyd was 12 years old, his grandparents took him back to New York where he continued his education. At the age of 17 years old, Lloyd wanted to join the Navy, because he was young, he had to have his mother’s consent which she gave and Lloyd’s life as a sailor began. Lloyd stayed in the Navy for a number of years and often spoke of his good and bad experiences while there. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in January 1971. He often told the story of how his ship was passing through St. Maarten, where he thought he would be able to dock. However, his Captain called him to come and see his island as they passed by. Lloyd of course was very disappointed. Disappointed that he could not visit home and also disappointed that the Navy, where he thought he would see the world, brought him right back to the Caribbean Sea. After his tenure in the Navy, Lloyd went back to New York and joined the Police Force, the NYPD, where he worked for a number of years. Upon his retiring from the Police Force, Lloyd returned to St. Maarten, the island home that he loved. Upon his return to St. Maarten, he reconnected with many of his childhood friends whose friendship lasted throughout his lifetime. When he returned to St. Maarten he held several jobs, namely, at Risdon Car Rental, the Airport as a Security Officer, the Chronicle Newspaper, and eventually he found his niche at PJD2 Radio, where he was the host of the well-known Radio Program, People’s Voice which began in 1987 and “View Point”. Lloyd also hosted his own T.V. Program. Lloyd became a small business entrepreneur and considered himself a digital creator. Lloyd enjoyed almost 30 years of hosting these programs, after which he decided to retire in Atlanta, Georgia. When Lloyd moved to Atlanta and moved into his home, he developed a friendship with his neighbor, Dorothy and her family, and he became uncle Lloyd to her children and grandchildren. “Dot” as we call her, we thank you so much for always being there for Lloyd, you became our family. While in Atlanta, Lloyd being a car fanatic, joined the Unique Corvette Club of Atlanta, where he attended and enjoyed many of their activities. When his family visited, he would have the members of the Corvette Club, all their corvettes, come to his home to meet them. Lloyd always enjoyed when his family visited. Rosie recalled how happy and excited he would be and he would take them all around Atlanta to visit all the sites. His family and his children were his pride and joy (and also the corvette). Lloyd returned to visit St. Maarten almost every year during the Carnival Season and in April of this year, he was home with some of his children, where we had a grand time together. It became an unplanned family reunion. We are all so grateful for that time – what we know now – would be his last visit home. On September 13, 2024, Lloyd took ill. He was taken to the hospital, where he died on September 24, 2024. Lloyd is now reunited with his grandparents, his mom and two sisters and with his one true love Delilah Elizabeth Dupree. Lloyd, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, we love you and we miss you. You will forever live in our hearts. Lloyd is survived by his children and grandchildren: Gizel Dan-Yette Brewer (Donald, Gary, Garrard, Maya, Aniyah), Josmar Kysha ‘Jesse’ Harville (Ashona, Josmar), Loraine ‘Lorie’ Richardson McCray (Lea, Leo), Lloyd Travis Richardson, Lloydia Lee Richardson (TyJae, JaAsia, Meko), Brandon Preston Richardson (Scarlett Rose), D’Andre Lloyd Richardson, Lydia Li ‘Evelyn’ Richardson, his sisters Maisie Richardson, Sheryl Coram Priest, Rose Hughes-Coram and brother Reginald Coram. Daddy, sleep softly in the arms of Jesus until we meet again.

Tributes

Mr. William Preston Richardson

June 3, 1947 - September 24, 2024