Richard Williams

Richard Wilkins Williams Dec. 9, 1957 - Nov. 14, 2022 Richard Wilkins Williams, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, was born on December 9, 1957 and passed away on November 14, 2022, at the age of 64. He is survived by his mother, Elouise Wilkins Williams, and sister, Anna Elizabeth Williams of Mountain Brook. He is predeceased by his father, Henry Harold Williams, long-time Birmingham attorney.

Richard spent his first ten years living with his family in Pell City, AL, where the entire family were heavily involved in community and church life. He graduated from Mountain Brook High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. Among his varied activities, he enjoyed singing in the school's concert choir and ensemble.

His college years included Furman University and Samford University, from which he graduated with a degree in religion. At Samford, he sang in the Baptist Student Union Choir and participated in Step Sing and Campus Ministry events. He then obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He traveled with a class to England, retracing the steps of its historic pastors.

Richard relished camping and the outdoors. He joined the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Philmont Scout Ranch in the rugged Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico, with elevations ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. He later worked at Philmont as a Ranger leading Boy Scouts backpacking for days on the wilderness trails.

A devout Christian, he spent much time reading God's Word. Richard accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, making a profession of his faith at Mountain Brook Baptist Church at 11 years of age. He felt a call of God to the ministry. For two years, he served as a summer missionary planting churches in several states, such as South Dakota, for the Baptist Home Mission Board. He also served as an intern at First Baptist Dallas, Texas while Dr. W. A. Criswell was pastor.

Richard liked reading World War II history and tracking Alabama football. He was an avid collector of stamps and coins. Richard was appreciated for being kind, polite, gentle, and thoughtful. Just before graduation from seminary, he was involved in a bad automobile accident. Although illness prevented him from pursuing his career, he began to help his father in the family business. Richard especially enjoyed singing bass with the Mellow Brook Singers at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

A service celebrating his life will be held at Mountain Brook Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 2, with visitation following in Hudson Hall outside the sanctuary. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that any memorials be made to Mountain Brook Baptist Church, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Williams family.