Claire Dyreng Richards was the wife of G. William Richards and served for five years as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Claire was raised in Manti, Utah. She graduated from Brigham Young University and then taught music at an elementary school in Provo, Utah. She later went to New York City to pursue advanced studies in vocal music. While there she met G. William Richards whom she married in the Manti Temple in August 1955. The Richards had five children.