WILLIAMS, Richard A.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Richard A. Williams, 81, born May 26, 1933, in Imperial, Nebraska, passed away on March 22, 2105. Services will be at 2 p.m. March 28, 2015 at Christ Lutheran Church, 3300 N. Navajo Drive, Prescott Valley, Arizona. ~~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Thursday, March 26, 2015 Richard A. Williams, 81, was born in Imperial, Nebraska, on May 26, 1933, the son of Gwen and Clara (Miller) Williams and passed away in his home in Prescott, Arizona on March 22, 2015, surrounded by his family. Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years Gloria; children Deb (Jim) McCasland, Julie (Nabil) Torfa and Rick (Lana) Williams. Surviving grandchildren are Alia and Zaid Torfa, Nathan (Kelsey) McCasland, Sarah (Chris) Downs; and great grandson Noah Downs. He is also survived by his brother, Gary (Anna) Williams; sister Margaret (Chuck) Wright; brother-in-law Ed (Shirley) Collins; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. Richard loved to be involved in the community and served many years as a volunteer/member/board member of Sharlot Hall Museum, Phippen Museum, Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, Westerners, and Smoki. He spent many days cooking biscuits at Sharlot Hall Museum's Folk Arts Fair as well as working at the annual Phippen Western Art Show. He participated in the snake dance for many years in Smoki ceremonies and parades. He cherished the friendships he made with many of the western artists, poets and other volunteers. Following his retirement from the City of Prescott as the payroll supervisor, he started his own business, Bar 2 Sign Company, engraving signs, name tags, award plaques, and brass plates for a variety of businesses, non-profits, western artists and sculptors. He loved to sing in his church choirs and the Yavapai College Master Chorale. His strong tenor voice rang out from the back row of the choirs. He also enjoyed following Nebraska football games. With God's help, he fought and survived many health battles in his later years. Richard was known to others as a Christian man, honest and always willing to lend a hand. This gem of a man will be greatly missed here on earth, but we know he is in Heaven. The family wants to thank his caregiver, Michele McCormick, Hospice Family Care, Dr. Michael Aranda and Pastor Stephen Hein for their prayers, guidance and care. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church, 3300 N. Navajo Drive, Prescott Valley, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, P.O. Box 12051, Prescott, AZ 86304, or Christ Lutheran Church. Information provided by survivors.