Richard James Williard (July 25, 1911 – September 23, 2006) was an American prison administrator. He was born to Samuel A. Williard and Adah Nordlund in Oakland, California, 1911.[1]

Richard J. Williard
Born
Richard James Williard

(1911-07-25)July 25, 1911
DiedSeptember 23, 2006(2006-09-23) (aged 95)
OccupationFederal Bureau of Prisons administrator
Known forAssociate Warden, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (1962–63)

Williard began work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons around 1938.[2] During the course of his career, he served as Captain of the Guards at both McNeil Island[2] and Atlanta Penitentiaries,[3][2] as well as Associate Warden at the Federal Correctional Institution, Terminal Island.[4] He was the last Associate Warden of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary under Olin G. Blackwell, replacing Arthur M. Dollison in December, 1962[5] and staying until the institution closed on March 21, 1963. Following the closure of the penitentiary, he had served as a caretaker of the island. While a caretaker, he had dealt with a brief invasion of Sioux Indians in March 1964. In October 1964, Williard took a position as Warden of the Oregon State Correctional Institution,[6] a position he held until he resigned in 1967.

He died September 23, 2006, in Concord, California.

References

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  1. ^ "Women Land at Alcatraz...Another First for Auxiliary". San Francisco Examiner. 28 April 1963. p. 112. Retrieved 17 September 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Caste System Disappears As Convicts Put to Work". Statesman Journal. 11 September 1965. p. 5. Retrieved 17 September 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Official Register of the United States Persons in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service, Exclusive of the Postal Service. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1958. p. 340. Retrieved 17 Sep 2020.
  4. ^ "New OCI Head Praises Oregon Prison Program". Capital Journal. 1 October 1964. p. 15. Retrieved 17 September 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Alcatraz Warden Aide Transferred". Daily Independent Journal. 1 November 1962. p. 7. Retrieved 17 Sep 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Squier To Retire; Alcatraz Official Will Head OCI". Statesman Journal. 9 Sep 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 17 Sep 2020 – via Newspapers.com.