Dick Williams

Richard R. Williams, 71, of Decorah went home to be with the Lord, family, and his friends on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 after a hard battle with Glioblastoma.

Richard Williams was born Oct. 27, 1945 at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., to Earl and Mary (Goodlet) Williams. He grew up in a house on Lake Minnetonka with his father, mother, and sister Carolyn. 

In 1964 he graduated from Minnetonka High School. Shortly after, Richard proudly joined and served in the United States Army Reserves for 15 years. 

He was hired by Northwestern Bell in 1967 where he met his soulmate and best friend Suzanne Bury. 

On Oct. 4, 1969 they were united in marriage at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley, Minn. Officiating was Reverend Oliver “Ollie” Olson. 

Richard and Sue chose their son Bradley. Richard loved Bradley unconditionally and it showed over the years. 

He worked at Northwestern Bell for 10 years. In 1977 he went to college to be a paramedic and worked at North Memorial Hospital in Robinsdale, Minn., from 1977 to 1992, first being a paramedic and later in his career at North in Administrative Ambulance Operations. In 1992 Richard became an independent ambulance billing consultant and did that for three years.

The family lived in and around the Twin Cities until 1995 when they moved to West Union, Iowa where he was employed by Sweet Computer Services for many years doing ambulance service billing. 

They later moved to Decorah in 2003 where they have lived ever since.

Richard was an active and faithful member of West Union United Methodist Church for over 20 years. He was instrumental in the creation, implication, and running of the audio/video recording system the church utilizes for services and many other events.

Richard enjoyed his home very much, some would call him a “homebody”, his favorite place in his house was his “workshop.” He found great pleasure in tinkering with gadgets and building computers, but he also very much enjoyed creating and building household furniture for his house. 

He was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. Richard was known by his family for his cooking and especially for his homemade spaghetti and made from scratch stir-fry in his wok. 

He built many amazing memories with family and friends over the years that will be shared for many years to come. He had an exceptional work ethic, possessed a strong moral character and loved his family so very dearly.

Richard was very blessed with amazing family and friends and when he became ill with a brain tumor his friends and family stayed by him loving, encouraging, supporting, and praying for him. He truly knew how much he was loved. 

Richard is survived by his wife Sue and son Bradley (Megan) Williams. 

He was proceeded in death by his parents Earl and Mary (Goodlet) Williams, sister Carolyn (Johnson) Williams, brother-in-law Owen Johnson, grandparents John and Maude (Bohring) Williams, grandparents R.G. and Lily (Kinder) Goodlet, and great-grandparents Franklin and Nancy (Pemberton) Williams.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.     40u40