Richard "Dick" Williams' Obituary
Richard “Dick” Williams, 87, returned peacefully and of natural causes to his Savior on November 9th, 2020. Born Richard Lee Williams to Winifred (née Croton) and Dale Williams, of Marion, Michigan, Dick was a lifelong Michigan resident, avid outdoorsman, and served ten years in the Army National Guard. Born on a farm during the Great Depression, Dick grew up hunting and fishing and later excelled as a multi-sport athlete, being the first to hit the ball completely out of the Alma baseball stadium. The actual ball was signed and showcased for years. Richard played college level baseball, football, basketball and track/field. Initially attending Alma College where he first met his wife, Janice, he later attended Taft College, in Bakersfield, CA, where he continued to play baseball for a farm team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. He had the memorable opportunity of trying out for the Tigers but was not selected. Richard was naturally artistic, participating in painting a large mural for the city of Alma, and working as an architectural draftsman drawing up house plans during his younger years. He also much enjoyed singing, performing in the Fruitport bicentennial celebration musical, participating as a member of his church choir for decades, and recently, joining in weekly hymn sings. “The Old Rugged Cross” was always his favorite. Graduating from Central Michigan University with his teaching and administrative degrees, Richard went on to teach and coach sports in various school districts including Shelby and Greenville Public Schools. He continued as the business manager for Lowell Public Schools and spent the final decades of his career with Fruitport Community Schools first as their business manager, then the superintendent and lastly by his return to teaching and chairing the industrial arts programs for Fruitport High School. Dick was known as an easy going, mild mannered and fair leader. He led a healthy lifestyle, continuing to run in local 5 and 10k races, bicycling around Spring Lake and walking daily even in later years. His favorite lifetime activities included boating and fishing salmon on the “Big Lake”, camping and bow hunting whitetail deer, and he especially prided himself on general contracting and constructing homes during the summer months. Richard was preceded in death by each of his three siblings, brothers Morris, Jerry and sister Eloise, along with his parents. He leaves behind his wife of nearly 65 years, Janice, and his children Cynthia (and Craig Hoyer), Rick (and Nancy Williams) and Susan (and Jeff Baker), along with 7 grandchildren, Jordan, Collin, AJ, Autumn, Morgan, Grant and Kelvin, and 3 great-grandchildren, Roryk, Mia, and Crew.....all of whom were always lovingly reminded by their grandpa to “keep their nose clean!” A family celebration of life will take place at a later date. Cards may be sent to Janice Williams at the Hume Home of Muskegon, with any donations (in lieu of flowers) contributed to the Fruitport Congregational United Church of Christ, 9 N. 8th Ave., Fruitport, 49415, where Dick and Jan have attended over the past fifty years. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100
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