WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  Richard Richardson Williams of Williamstown, Massachusetts died of pneumonia on August 23, 2023, following a multiyear decline due to brain cancer.

Born in White Plains, New York, November 14, 1942, he was the son of David and Parthenia Davis Williams. The family moved to Lewiston, Maine when his father became a professor at Bates College. Richard graduated from Lewiston High School and Boston University and earned the MBA degree from New York University. He served in the US Army 1962-1964, stationed in Germany.

Richard’s career was in commercial banking. He moved to Albany, New York in 1972 as part of Citibank’s upstate expansion program. Starting in the 1980’s, he worked in Berkshire county banks including First Agricultural Bank, Williamstown Savings Bank, Berkshire Bank, and Pittsfield Co-Operative bank.

Dedicated to community service and historic preservation, Richard was active at St. Stephen’s Church in Pittsfield and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown, with the Boy Scouts, Hancock Shaker Village, the Berkshire County Historical Society, and a county-wide scholarship group.

A friend said she will never forget his sense of humor and wry smile. Special interests included historic preservation and woodworking. He owned a 1998 Plus 8 Morgan car.

He is survived by his wife of more than 52 years, Elizabeth Brenner Williams; sons John Garland Williams of North Andover, Massachusetts; Peter Bruce Williams of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother David Louis Williams of Athens, Ohio; and grandsons Connor and Ian Williams of North Andover, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his brother Morton D. Williams.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date in Garrison, New York, where he will be buried. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire County Historical Society at Arrowhead in Pittsfield. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.