Milan B. Williams

WILLIAMS, Milan B. A founding member and keyboardist of the acclaimed band "The Commodores", passed away Sunday, July 9, 2006 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas after a valiant fight with cancer. Milan "Bunny" was born on Easter Sunday in Okolona, Mississippi on March 28, 1948. As a founding member of the Commodores he wrote their very first hit; "Machine Gun" as well as many other hits including "Brick House". With all of his success, Milan was a very humble and caring man who loved life, his family and friends. He grew up in North Mississippi, attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL where he was an engineering major. He settled in Los Angeles and in October of 2000 married his sweetheart of ten years Melanie Bruno-Williams who remained by his side at all times until his death. Their deep and profound love is and always will be an inspiration to all of their family and friends. Milan leaves behind his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams, two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, brothers Earl Williams (Nettie) of Hilton Head, SC, and Lance Williams (Gail) of Atlanta, GA and sister Terry (Dwight Deans) of Decatur, GA, several special nieces, nephews, aunts uncle and cousins. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law Louise Rogalny, father-in-law John Rogalny, brother-in-law Marty Rogalny and sisters-in-law Dana Rae and Kathrine Clark all of Los Angeles. Milan was preceded in death by his parents Earl L. Williams Sr. and Julia Bowen Williams of Okolona, Mississippi. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5th, 2006 at Bel Air Presbyterian Church located at 16221 Muholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA at 3 p.m. Parking is across the street from the church and a shuttle service will be provided. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to Leukemia Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas, 77210-4486, www.mdanderson.org/gifts