Jeffrey “Jeff” Lee Richards long-time resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2026. He was born to Vernon Lee “Buddy” Richards and Jimmie Joyce McRoberts Richards in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 2,1949. Jeff was raised in Benton, Arkansas, where his father was the general manager of the Jones Furniture Company and his mother was a member of the steno pool for the Arkansas legislature and a regionally-acclaimed golfer. Jeff would summer in Hot Springs with his cousin, David, and their families; he would later recount those summers as some of his favorite memories. Jeff spent some 40 years as an engineer at McGoodwin Williams and Yates, retiring as Vice President of Engineering after the merger with Olsson. Jeff’s practice focused primarily on water treatment and structures, having led projects for multiple wastewater treatment plants and municipal structures.

 Jeff is survived by his ex-wife and mother to his children, Donna Williams; his children, Amos Richards and his wife, Anne Richards, and Lucas Richards; his grandchild, Adeline Richards; his cousin, David Foster and his wife, Jeannie Foster, their daughter Kristin Foster, and their grandchild David; and his ex-wife, Susan Cronin and her children, Jack Taylor and Sara Taylor. 

At Jeff’s request, no funeral will be held.