Richard Willis Harral

Richard grew up in Fort Stockton, TX and married his high school sweetheart, Ilene Cook Harral on February 9, 1960. He was attending Texas Tech University at that time and eventually received his BS and MS in Physical Chemistry in 1966. After graduation Richard, Ilene and their only daughter moved to Wenonah, NJ when he took a job with DuPont out of Wilmington, DE.

Richard had a long and interesting career. After NJ, the family moved to Beaumont, TX when Dupont transferred him there where he was an ammonia plant superintendent. In 1988, he and Ilene moved again and lived for nine years in Aiken, SC where Richard was charged with the turning of nuclear waste into glass for Westinghouse Savannah River Sight nuclear facility. From there, was a brief stint in Anniston, AL working with the army disposing of chemical weapons. He was quickly lured away by an offer from Ensco in El Dorado, AR in 1998 where he worked in industrial waste disposal. In 2003, Richard took a job with NEI Corporation as Director of Manufacturing working to expand nano technology for industrial use.

When Richard and Ilene moved to El Dorado, they finally built their dream home. Sadly, Ilene passed away there after 54 years of marriage in November 2014.

In early 2016 Richard began his search for a home closer to his daughter, Melissa Harral of Dallas, TX. He settled on a home in Sherman, TX in May with the help of Melissa’s realtor sister-in-law, Secky Stillwell.

On May 12, 2016, Richard married Janice Ebs Hadden. Richard and Janice split time between Texas and Kentucky, where Janice also has a home. They traveled around the world until COVID-19 took its toll on the world and the travel industry. Janice’s son George Crow, his wife Lena, and their children Brian and Alyssa became an important part of Richard’s life. Richard comfortably settled into being a grandfather to Brian and Alyssa in his final years. Janice will miss him, as they had many plans for the future.

Richard was a lover of animals, chemistry, and guns. He had a pet deer as a child and raised sheep up to his teens. There were many other pets over the years. As a teen he experimented with rockets and ignited his bedroom. He must of learned from his mistakes, as his knowledge of chemistry took him through a long and successful career. He was always ready to talk about guns. He was a beloved husband, father, and uncle.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, Charles and Mary Betty Harral, his wife Ilene Cook Harral, and his very special mother-in-law Tillie Cook.

He is survived by his daughter Melissa Harral and her husband Dan Dorn; his wife Janice Hadden and her family. He is also survived by his sister Martha Sue Harral Hanks and her family; sister-in-law, Quita Cook Cooper and her family, along with many other relatives and friends made through the years.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 7, 2022, at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park in Burnet, TX.

An online guest registry will be available at the website of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, Burnet, TX.