William Richard "Rich" Alexander, 63, of Idaho Falls, died October 25, 2009 at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg. He was born July 25, 1946, in Gainesville, Texas, the son of Alonzo Thomas and Ida Belle Alexander. He was raised in Idaho Falls, and attended schools in Idaho Falls and Placerville, California, where he graduated from Ponderosa High School in 1964. After High School he enlisted in the United States Navy where he earned three medals while serving his country in the Vietnam War. He married Virginia Gail Romano on July 22, 1979, in Reno, Nevada. He lived in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Lathrop, Manteca, and Burson, California; and Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was an industrial mechanic for 25 years at Corn Products Inc. in Stockton, California. He was active in the 4H in Burson, California, where he and Virginia were the Swine Leaders. Their kids rode horses and he would lead them, by rope, all through the Christmas parade in Burson. He enjoyed Yellowstone, fishing at Henry's Lake, and being on his ATV. He loved to spoil his kids and he took great pride in raising them. He loved all of his extended family and even taught his nephew how to fish. He never turned his back on us when we needed him, and he was always there. He is survived by his wife Virginia, of Idaho Falls; 3 daughters, Wendy Smith of West Virginia, Karen Wagner of San Diego, CA, and Kim Alexander of Idaho Falls; son, William Alexander Jr. of Idaho Falls; grandson, Caleb Richard of Idaho Falls; brothers, Alan Alexander of Manteca, CA, and James "Jim" Alexander of Arvada, Colorado; 4 nieces and nephews; one sister-in-law; one mother-in-law; one brother-in-law, Bill and 4 other grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Alonzo Thomas Alexander; mother, Ida Belle Alexander; uncles, aunts, and grandparents. Memorial Services will be held at 2p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009, at Rich and Virginia's home, 18 N. 3167 E. Idaho Falls with Jim Alexander conducting. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.