Brian Williams

Brian Arthur Williams, 63, passed away peacefully in his home in Austin, Minnesota, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, having fought metastatic kidney cancer since his diagnosis nearly 15 years ago. He was surrounded by family and his beloved cats. Brian is survived by his father, Wayne Williams, his sister, Dawn Williams, and his husband, Thomas Hiniker. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vera (Stewart) Williams.

Brian was born on December 7, 1961, in Des Moines, Iowa. His family moved to Wisconsin in 1966. 12 years later, they settled in Independence, Missouri, where Brian graduated from Blue Springs High School. He completed his bachelor degree in organ performance at the University of Kansas, followed by his masters at the University of South Dakota.

Upon completion of his musical education, he began his musical ministry as Director of Music and Arts at Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, Minnesota. He served as organist and choir master there, directing choirs of all ages, and a bell choir. After nearly 23 years at Calvary, he accepted the position of Director of Music and Worship at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota, a post he held for the last 3 years of his life. As at Calvary, he served as organist and director of choirs, including the bell choir.

Both positions also included other responsibilities, such as designing and printing service bulletins, and coordinating volunteers. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the mechanical workings and tonal considerations of pipe organs, and he used his expertise to collaborate in the rebuilding of the organs at Calvary and St. Olaf. As a composer, he wrote many well crafted psalm settings and also songs for kids. As a performer, he played organ, piano, and harpsichord for countless weddings, funerals and other services, and special music between services on holy days, as well as solo recitals in the community.

His musical legacy will live on in the many organists, singers, instrumentalists, organ students, and listeners, whose lives were enriched by his musical excellence and by his wisdom, warmth, and sense of humor.

There will be two memorial services for Brian Williams. The first will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 27, at the 39th Street Community of Christ Church, in Independence, Missouri. The second will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 5, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, in Austin, Minnesota, with visitation starting at 10:00AM, and a lunch reception following. For those who cannot make it to the memorial service in Austin, it will be livestreamed on the YouTube channel for St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin, Minnesota.