Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams

Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams (almost 95 years around the sun!) of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023 surrounded by family and friends. Rick, also known as Pop Pop to his family, was born to Helen Giesen and Charles Williams on May 29th 1928 in Portland Oregon along with his identical twin brother Roland Williams. Rick was a loving soul who loved to live by the water, play cards, travel the world and most importantly, spend time creating memories with family and friends. His unwavering faith in God, sense of humor, love of music, love for waffles and all things chocolate are just a few traits that are admired by so many. Rick graduated in 1946 from Cretin High School in St. Paul Minnesota and joined the ROTC while enrolled there. Their experiences were so memorable, that Rick and Roland established the “Superior Cadet Scholarship” in 1999. After graduating high school, Rick enlisted in the Army and served in Italy and Greece, receiving the Army of Occupation Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. While stationed overseas, he met and married his first wife Patricia Devereaux Jennings in 1948. After Rick was honorably discharged from the Army in 1949, he worked for the Voice of America Relay Station based in Tangier, Morocco. Upon returning to the States, he graduated in 1953 with a BBA degree from the University of Minnesota. Rick joined General Motors Personnel department in 1953. He was also a member of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and a friend of Bill W. After 32 years of a successful career in Personnel at GM, Rick retired in 1984. Post retirement and the passing of his first wife in 1983, Rick went on to marry Dorothy Williams in 1986. Together they eventually settled on Longboat Key, creating many more loving memories, traveled the world, making new friends and spending time with family. Rick is survived by his wife of 37 years Dorothy Williams and five children, Judith Williams, Deborah Bart, Melissa Alexander (Larry), Richard Williams Jr (Kimberly), and Patricia Wadors (Dave). He is also survived by two stepchildren, Bryant Dowden (JoJo), Alexis Johnette Dowden, 12 amazing grandchildren, five awesome great grandchildren, one great, great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. What a legacy! Rick is preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Williams, children Barbara Guess, Cynthia Williams, Geoffrey Williams and his brother Roland Williams. Ricks family will host a service on June 3rd, 2023. The service will be held at St. Mary, Star of the Sea RC Church on 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida at 11AM. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard & Roland Williams scholarship fund at Cretin High School, St. Paul MN. www.cretin-derhamhall.org.

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Richard (Rick) Raymond Williams

May 29, 1928 - May 8, 2023