Richard H. Williams

Richard H. Williams, 89, of Iron Mountain, passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Victorian Pines Assisted Living Facility in Iron Mountain. Richard was born on August 13, 1931, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, where he spent much of his life. Following his graduation from Iron Mountain High School in 1949, Richard went on to pursue additional education through college and technical school. He later went on to marry his beloved wife, Virginia Hague, at Hennepin Methodist Church in Minneapolis, MN, on June 18, 1954. Richard and Virginia met in Minnesota at a Church summer camp where she kept tickling his ear from the chair behind him. She has kept his attention for 67 years. His children remember their dad as being one who always encouraged them to better themselves by teaching a strong work ethic. They started with an “Erector Set” and toys all over his workbench and over time, each of them built furniture on that bench. As a “paperboy” Richard learned many valuable lessons about customer service that lasted his lifetime. Also his time at the old “Home Furniture Store” and “North Western Corrugated Box Co.” taught him numerous skills. Richard spent much of his adult life as a self employed entrepreneur. First, “Williams floor”, which grew into “Williams Interiors”, and finally “Cobweb Antiques” up until the time of his retirement. He is fondly remembered as being hard working, self taught, determined and organized. His strong faith, willingness to look for opportunities, and heart for giving people a helping hand up led to Richard and Virginia’s volunteer mission work project. What started as simply sending a few care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan eventually led to 54 shipping containers being sent to Honduras, Romania, Ukraine, Peru and Nigeria over the last 22 years. Richard was always looking for opportunities to lend a helping hand. One story begins with a semi truck that broke down on the highway, and needed an odd part replaced. Richard was able to not only find it in the “Williams Hardware Store"...which was actually his very organized personal collection. Along with his parents, Harry and Harriet (Langsford) Williams, Richard was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Williams; his grandson, Jason Williams; by his brother, Robert Williams; his sister, Lois Reickhoff. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; three sons, Thomas “Tom” (Patricia) Williams of Phoenix, AZ, Robert “Bob” (Nancy) Williams of Iron Mountain, and Dave (Billi) Williams of Oshkosh, WI; a daughter, Barbara Vaughn of Dublin, OH; four grandchildren, Ronnie (Elisabeth) Vaughn, Cyndi (Craig) Kleinhenz, Jason and Chris Vaughn; three great-grandchildren, Briella, Cadel and Victor; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 15th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Pastor Larry Neargarth will officiate. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Richard Williams online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Richard H. Williams

August 13, 1931 - July 7, 2021