08/23/2022
Richard L. Williams passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Jeffersonville, PA. He was 77. Mr. Williams worked as a Master Electrician for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #98 Philadelphia for 40 years. He was a member of St. Patrick Church in Norristown, PA, where he was part of the “kitchen crew” as well as helped with many other things around the church.
Richard was appointed the 10th Chief of Norristown Fire Department ’78 to 80. He was Assistant Chief of Norristown Fire Department from Fairmount Engine Co. #2, was awarded the Norristown Fire Department Medal of Valor for Heroic Actions in 1973 and 1987, awarded Fairmount Engine Co. #2 Medal of Merit in 1988, received the James B. Miller Award from Fireman’s Association State of PA, and received the Fairmount Engine Co. #2 Chief’s Award in 2012.
He was a Life Member of Fairmount Engine Co. #2 – joined in 1967, Life Member of Bridgeport Fire Co. #1, immediate past President and Vice-president of Fairmount Engine Co. #2, Past Captain of Fairmount Engine Co. #2, a member of Keystone Fire Chief’s Association, past President and life member of the Montgomery Co. Fire Chief’s Association, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fairmount Engine Co. #2, member of Firemen’s Union and Relief Association of Norristown, Chairman of the Training Committee for the Firemen’s Association State of PA, was a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor, Senior Fire Instructor at Montgomery Co. Fire Academy, PA Fish and Boat Commission Water Rescue Instructor, a founding member of the Montgomery Co. Fire Advisory Board, attended the annual Firemen’s State Convention and taught Cadence to the Fairmount Engine Co. #2 Ladies Auxiliary Marching Unit.
Richard was an athlete in school especially Track & Field and Wrestling and played softball with the firehouse. He enjoyed going on cruises, going to Florida in the winter, going to the casinos, collecting trains and building a train platform at Christmas. Richard loved spending time with his family, children, and grandchildren, and playing cards with his family and friends after church. He was a mentor to many fellow firefighters.
Born in Norristown, PA on September 21, 1944, he was a son of the late Nelson E. and Mary A. (Booz) Williams. Surviving is his wife of 58 years, Mary C. (Morello) Williams; a son, Richard C. Williams; a daughter, Tammy W. Brock and her husband, Robert; four grandchildren: Ryan Ragusa, Jason Brock, Kelly Brock and Eric Brock; and many other loving family members. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Mary E. Wagner, Nelson C. Williams, Donald A. Williams and Jean L. Frisco.
Relatives & friends are invited to Richard’s viewing at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 600 Hamilton Street, Norristown, PA on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 6 to 8:00 pm; also Friday morning from 9:45 to 10:40 am; Eulogy at 10:50 am. His Funeral Mass will be Friday at 11:00 am. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Norristown, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Montgomery County Special Olympics at 980 Harvest Dr., Blue Bell, PA 19422 and/or St. Patrick’s Church Building Fund at 714 DeKalb St, Norristown, PA 19401.
