Richard John Olier
Published 10:44 am Monday, January 22, 2024
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Jan. 31, 1939 – Jan. 10, 2024
NATCHEZ – Memorial Services for Richard John Olier will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Assumption Catholic Church with visitation from 1 until 2 p.m. and service at 2 p.m. with Father Aaron Williams officiating.
Richard was born on Jan. 31, 1939, in Biloxi, MS, one of seven children of Elie and Agnes Olier. He was a stand-out football player at Biloxi High School, earning a football scholarship to Delta State University. He enlisted in the Marines and was stationed at Camp Lejuene. After leaving the service, he started his career with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, dedicating over 35 years to patrolling the highways and protecting the people of his home state.
It was during his early years with the Mississippi Highway Patrol he met and married the greatest love of his life, Cora, with whom he loved and raised four children. He was fondly known as “Mr. Olier” and served as a Driver’s License Examiner for Adams, Wilkinson, and Lincoln Counties for over two decades.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Richard J. Olier, II; sisters, Mary Holt, and Elaine Volentine and brothers, Audris, Cleo, and Douglas Olier.
Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Cora; daughters, Pam (Charles) Clayton, Wanda (Tommy) Brown, and Angie (Wayne) Waller; sister, Joan Rehage (Richard) of Huntsville, AL; 11 grandchildren, Erin (Ron) Watts, Chase (Mandi) Clayton, Lauren (Ken) Myers, Sarah Bradley, Paige (Beto) Mendoza, Joanna (Kade) McAdams, Jordan (Jacob) Seibert, Jessica (Randall) Harvey, Julia (Doug) McGhee, Kalep and Kamdon Olier; 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who were so special to their “Uncle Richard.”
Richard loved spending time with his family and friends, rocking and comforting babies, watching football and old westerns, and listening to his favorite artist of all time, B.B. King.
He loved telling stories of his years “on patrol” and never met a stranger, treating all people with respect and dignity regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
Many thanks to Dr. Anderson, Dr. Tumminello, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Drane, RiverBridge, Hospice Compassus, CME Andrea, and sitters Libby and Sandra for the excellent care. We would also like to recognize his special friends, including Retired Mississippi Highway Patrol officers (esp. Harold Jones and Neil Rhodes), The Coffee Club, Danny Barber, brothers-in-law, Lester Smith, Clyde Ellzey, and Bobby Cockerham, and his life-long Biloxi friends.