Celebrating the Life of William H. Richardson

With a journalism degree and Air Force service under his belt, a career in elementary education did not seem to be a likely path for William H. Richardson.

However, The Meadows’ longest-serving Head of School was inspired by his wife, a grade school teacher, and her love of teaching to pursue a new industry. He went back to school and earned a second degree, this one in elementary education.

“He became fascinated with the idea of educating and having an impact on children at a young age,” said his sister, Mary Ellen Britt. “He was passionate about education from the very beginning.”

He quickly found a mentor in Dr. LeOre Cobbley when both worked in elementary education in Las Vegas during the 1970s. He began to adapt her educational philosophy, which encompassed more than simply academics. Rather, his approach centered on a variety of arts, sports, and extracurriculars to round out a child’s education beyond the classroom.

In those early years, Richardson’s sister, Janan McCreery, also was an elementary teacher in Wyoming. The siblings spent plenty of time discussing educational trends, philosophies, and approaches.

“Will didn’t follow every trend that came down the pipe,” McCreery recalled. “He had coworkers and mentors who helped shape his philosophy. He believed that every student could succeed—we just had to figure out how they learn. One method isn’t going to work for all children.”

Richardson couldn’t have known in those days that his passion would turn into a lengthy career at The Meadows School, where he remains the longest-serving Head of School in its history. He came to the school in 1988, introduced by founding headmistress Dr. Cobbley to co-founder Carolyn G. Goodman, to oversee the Middle and Upper Schools.

Under his leadership, the school saw its largest increase in facilities as The Meadows School moved beyond the elementary grades to its eventual goal of becoming a top college preparatory school for students through the twelfth grade. There were 21 students in the Upper School when it opened in 1989. This year, the Upper School houses 281 students.

But being an academic leader meant more than simply growing facilities and numbers. Richardson made his mark on The Meadows School by making personal connections and knowing each student by name.

“I would guess that if you picked up a Meadows School yearbook and pointed to a picture, he would be able to tell you something about that person,” his sister, Mary Ellen Britt, said.

Meadows School. As Richardson’s nephew, Britt attended the public school where his uncle was principal before The Meadows opened. He later attended The Meadows School and graduated in 2000.

Seeing her son attend a school run by her brother gave Mary Ellen a new perspective on her brother’s professional life.

“I was able to observe his commitment to the school through the years,” she said. “I always marveled at how committed he was to The Meadows. I’m very proud of him for that.”

Today, Mary Ellen’s son is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and holds a great deal of respect for his uncle.

“While his administrative role required a number of leadership attributes, his approach was always informed by his experience as an educator who invested deeply and meaningfully in all of the students,” Kevin Paul Britt, Jr. recalled. “That legacy was immediately felt in the days following his death as classmates and friends, separated by decades of our shared crucible experience, reached out to describe the impact that my uncle had on their journey and their continued pursuit of excellence in all things.”

Richardson stood out because of both his passion for education and his longtime leadership at The Meadows.

“A true exemplar of what it means to be a Headmaster, my uncle was a mentor to junior faculty, a thoughtful administrator, and a precise instrument of the shared vision that The Meadows School has become and continues to pursue,” said Kevin Paul Britt, Jr.

One of the faculty members he mentored was the current Director of the Middle School, Brian Siegel. He credits Richardson with the expectation of excellence that has become standard at The Meadows School.

And his desire to know students went beyond the surface level. Richardson believed that it was an educator’s duty to identify the strategies that best help a student learn, and tailor their education in that way. It was not uncommon for him to tutor struggling students individually. He was a proponent of lifelong learning and character development, having been described as having “optimism, integrity, and humility” at his retirement dedication in 2005.

Kevin Paul Britt, Jr. is Mary Ellen’s son and one of a few students who knew Richardson prior to his time at The

“I heard him say many times, ‘If you expect it, you have to inspect it,’” Siegel said. “In my early days as an administrator through today, I learned by this phrase to set the expectations high and support those around me to make sure we are reaching that expectation.”

There’s no doubt that Richardson’s mark is forever steeped in the hallways of The Meadows School. It’s in the wins on the athletic fields, the look of wonder from engaged students, and the lifetime successes of graduates.

“His legacy is in the roots,” said Middle School Director Siegel. “The school stands tall today because the roots were tended to and are strong enough to support the mighty institution we have become.”