In Memory

Richard Francis Williams - Class Of 1939

Richard Francis Williams

Richard "Dick" Williams, passed away April 19, 2006 at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. He was 84. Born June 25, 1921 in Los Angeles, Dick attended Polytechnic School and South Pasadena/San Marino High School where he was proud to have simultaneously lettered in baseball and track. He received his under graduate and dental degrees from University of Southern California in 1949 after completing service in the U. S. Navy Dental Corps.

He married Barbara Barsch in 1949 and was devoted to her. His successful orthodontic practice was cut short due to blindness caused by macular degeneration. Dick was a Past-President of the Pasadena University Club and served as a loyal member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for decades. He was an avid dove and duck hunter and enjoyed golfing, fishing and playing bridge. He is survived by his wife Barbara of 56 years; his three children, Rick Williams (Cathy) of Olympia, Susan Sester of Vancouver , and Mike Williams (Brenda) of Olympia; and his brother Herbert F.(Bobbe) Williams (SPHS '34) of Fullerton. He was preceded in death by his sisters Barbara Wight and Virginia Hays. He was extremely proud of his seven grandchildren (Elizabeth Weber, Allison Williams, Richard Williams, Ryan Sester, Kari Davis, Henry Williams and Cameron Williams), along with his three great grandchildren. He loved all his nephews and nieces, and acted as a surrogate father to nephews Dick and Skip Wight and niece Kate Parker, who lost their parents at an early age. 

Star-News, April 22, 2006