William Benjamin Richardson was born October 31, 1867. He was the son of Dr. Stephen Lawrence Richardson, prominent physician and surgeon, and Susan Radford Richardson, of Twiggs County. Early in life he was bereft of parents and was forced to seek a livelihood for himself. With his blithe courage and rugged determination he used the obstacles he encountered as opportunities to succeed. He united with Mount Calvary Baptist Church at Cary, Ga., and was called to serve as deacon soon thereafter, and was active in this work until he moved away. A lover of the simple and natural things of life, he chose farming as his chief occupation.
On February 17, 1889, he was married to Miss Faith Davis, daughter of Henry Davis, Confederate veteran, and Caroline Davis, of Twiggs County. They moved to the upper part of Pulaski County, ten miles from Cochran, which is now Bleckley County. Here they reared a large family of eleven children: H. G., W. B., E. 0., C. L., S. L., Mrs. J. F. Lee, Mrs. Nell Wade, Mrs. J. P. Pollock, Mrs. G. M. Grinstead, Mrs. J. P. McGriff, Jr., Emmie, who died in childhood, and twenty-two grandchildren.
In 1909 he began his political career, being elected tax receiver of Pulaski County. He held this office for six years. In the spring of 1910 he moved to Hawkinsville and accepted a position with the Thompson Oil Mill Company; however, he retained his residence on the farm. In 1920 he was elected tax collector, and has served in this office until the present time.
In every movement concerning the advancement of county and town he has given his whole-hearted support. An outstanding trait of his is love of friendship. Shakespeare has said: “The friends thou hast and their adoption tried, grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.” He has held his friends by bonds more enduring than-steel -the bond of sacrifice. Out of the generosity and kindliness of his heart he has considered the welfare and happiness of his fellowman first. These qualities, together with his keen sense of humor and wit, have drawn around him a wide circle of friends who lovingly know him as “Uncle Bill.”