Richard Allen Williams

Richard Allen Williams, 79, beloved father, son, and friend to many, died peacefully on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at the Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of the Rockies located in Fort Collins Colorado.
Richard (or Dick, as everyone fondly knew him) was born on April 6, 1943, in Skowhegan Maine to parents Maxwell and Bertha Williams. Dick graduated from Madison High School in 1961, married his first wife, Eleanor Spaulding or North Anson Maine, and moved to Fort Collins Colorado in 1973.
Dick was a long-time heavy equipment operator for the City of Fort Collins from May 22, 1978, until he retired in April of 2006.
Dick was a very talented heavy equipment operator and was directly responsible for the paving, creation, and beauty of many of the city streets around Fort Collins. In the winter, he was their top snow plower -participating in the national heavy equipment games and winning many competitions). Each year, when the first snowflakes of the winter begin to fall in Fort Collins, Dick knew how important his work in the streets department would be for the citizens who all lived there.
Dick was the best person to have living on your block during a snowstorm; as he plowed his neighbors' streets on his out into a long cold, winter night shift head of him. Dicks kids loved that their father did this as the thanks of neighbors came abundantly in the form of cookies and baked goods left on the porch the next morning.
However, the best part for his kids was when Dick would take each of them individually, when able, to act as his co-pilot sitting beside high in the sanding/plow truck that he was so proud of. This was wonderful one-on-one time with dad to talk, see his talent and grab breakfast at the Ever Open diner or Perkins with him and his work buddies.
Dick, was an incredibly talented self-taught carpenter, electrician, plumber, and all 'round fixer of all things broke and that could be made better.
Two examples of Dicks talent, skill (and thriftiness) was the time when a local lumber yard had burnt down. Dick asked the lumber yard owner if he could have the mountain of burnt cedar boards, which were thick with char. The owner gave Dick the wood (which all but appeared to be destroyed) to which Dick then painstakingly, for days, shaved all the black char off, planed and sanded each board, and then built a stunning 2 level patio deck off the rear of his home complete with benches and planter boxes!
Another time was when Dick (who was famous for loving his recliner and having a window view of the cars passing by outside while sitting in his living room) felt the living room window could give him a much better view if it were only a "few more inches to the right". One day, as his kids returned from school, they noticed the window looked a little different. The siding looked normal from the outside and drywall/paint was fine on the inside, but it still looked different somehow. His kids asked, "Dad, why does the window seem different?" Dick, looked at them from behind the newspaper he was reading and said, "Oh, I moved that darn window today, now I can see out better." He then went back to reading his paper as he had just told them he had completed a little task such as mopping the floor that day like it was nothing. He was SO talented, yet never thought of it as talent-just a means to an end for everyday living.
Besides being a talented handyman and dedicated city worker, Dick was a friend to many. Dick never entered a business that he did not exit without making a friend or talking the ear off of the employees. After many years of living in Fort Collins, there were very few businesses that Dick walked into that didn't know his name. Dick, is a true character. He had a wit and sense of humor that was second to none.
Dick's hobbies included working on classic cars, talking with and making new friends via ham radio, and just "tinkering" on projects in his shop.
Dicks ham radio rewarded him with an extensive list of new acquaintances, friends, and mutual ham radio enthusiasts from the airwaves of Wellington Colorado to faraway countries such as New Zealand and beyond! This group of ham buddies created a tight nit second family and pastime that he valued so deeply.
Dick was never great with words, but his actions always showed love for his friends, neighbors, community, and especially, his kids. From the cement pad with regulation height basketball hoop he poured and set himself to the huge round hand-crafted metal stock tank he sanded down and filled with water for an instant backyard swimming pool, Dick was a hit with his kids, as he never failed in keeping them entertained and enriched. Dick also instilled a strong work ethic and deep respect for elders in his kids which was an important value and direct reflection of the man he was.
Dick loved Fort Collins something fierce. He was proud to be from Maine, but it was Colorado that truly stole his heart. He loved the beauty of Fort Collins, how he knew every road, and the wildlife he saw outside his living room window throughout the years. He loved bald eagles and old lighthouses that reminded him of Maine and had a huge love for American muscle cars which he passed down to his children.
Dick will be remembered for so much but, something that, all who spoke with him in person will be particularly remembered and missed for, was his piercing loving crystal blue eyes that sparkled like the deepest ocean when he would laugh and look at you. Frank Sinatra had nothing on those blue eyes of his.
Dick is survived by his 3 children, Robert Williams of Raleigh North Carolina, Cynthia Williams (and her husband Rolando Trevino) of Las Vegas Nevada, Hiedi Williams of Fort Collins Colorado, granddaughter Lynsie Barnes (and her husband Ryan Barnes) of Raleigh North Carolina, cousins Carole Green, Joyce Pike and Sue Wilcox. He is preceded in death by his younger brother Steve, and parents Maxwell and Bertha Williams.
An honorable family mention of Dicks very special friend, Gil, and his wife Debbie Tellez of Fort Collins. Gil's friendship and devotion to Dick, most likely, saved his life many times over (literally and in spirit) and gained the lifelong gratitude of Dicks children for the incredible ways and times he was always there for their father.
The family of Dick Williams wishes to extend their sincere and heartfelt words of appreciation for all the support and words of kindness during this difficult loss.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for any stories or memories you have of Dick to be left here on the Goes memory book and/or emailed directly to cjw8466@yahoo.com.
Flowers and days fade, but memories and stories are the visits from loved ones cherished for a lifetime for those left behind.
May Dick, his gentle blue eyes and shared memories, bring an endearing smile to you each winter season when those first snowflakes begin to fall.
God bless and God Speed to you, our beloved father, Richard Williams.