William S. Starr

RICHMOND, Ind. - William S. Starr, age 89, of Richmond, died following a short illness on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at his residence at Friends Fellowship Community. A lifelong resident of Richmond, Bill Starr was born on February 27, 1927. He was the son of Philip H. Starr and Eleanor Seidel Starr. Mr. Starr was a 1944 graduate of Richmond High School and a 1948 graduate of Kenyon College. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Sixth Field Artillery in Cold War era Germany, preparing for a Russian invasion of Western Europe which, mercifully, never occurred. Following his service, he returned to Richmond and joined his father’s business, Mather Brothers Co., which sold coal and heating oil to residential and commercial customers throughout the Richmond area until about 1960 when the business was sold to a longtime employee. During his business career, Bill also owned and operated a small business, manufacturing tuning machines for stringed instrument makers, including C.F. Martin & Co., using the basement offices of Mather Brothers as his shop. Bill Starr was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. For many years he served on the Vestry and also as the Church Treasurer. He had many interests including art, music, public affairs, and history; particularly the local history of Richmond. To family members and the many friends who knew him best, he was an avid cultivator of life-long friendships; unfailingly loyal, kind, and supportive. He was a consummate raconteur, full of colorful stories of the families and individuals who drove Richmond’s rise to prominence as a vibrant manufacturing and cultural center in the first half of the 20th century. He will be missed, but fondly remembered, by his family members and the last survivors of his legion of friends. Mr. Starr is survived by his sister, Virginia S. Kessel of Buda, Texas. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews including Phil Kessel of Arlington, Virginia, Jeff Kessel of Austin, Texas, John Kessel of Hurst, Texas, Eleanor Stone of The Woodlands, Texas, Jeff Kessel of Brooklyn, New York, Tricia Stone McAdams, M.D. of DuPont, Washington, Lauren Kessel of Dallas, Texas, Michael Stone of Phoenix, Arizona, and Philip Kessel of Haltom City, Texas. Visitation for William S. Starr will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 800 North A Street, Richmond, with Rev. Susan Bennett officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery with military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Wayne County Foundation (for the Philip and Eleanor Starr Memorial Endowment - scholarships for Richmond High School graduates), 33 South 7th Street, Richmond, IN 47374; Richmond Art Museum, 350 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374; Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 North A Street, Richmond, IN 47374; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 800 North A Street, Richmond, IN 47374; or Friends Fellowship Community Foundation (for the Opening Minds Through Art Program), 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

William S. Starr

February 27, 1927 - March 3, 2016