Richard Paul Williams

Richard Paul Williams, age 46, of Knoxville, TN passed away Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 1:45 a.m. of stage 4 melanoma. He was at home with his wife Cindy by his side. Richard was born March 24, 1966 to Ben and Roberta Williams. His childhood was spent in Loudon and he graduated from Loudon High School with the class of 1984. He married the Love of His Life, Cindy, on May 17, 2008 and became a proud step-dad to Matthew and Meghan. Richard was a skilled maintenance technician and worked for many years at Denso Manufacturing. He moved up to a new career at Energizer Personal Care in November 2011. Richard was an avid outdoors person and a self-described adrenaline junky. One of his favorite quotes was “ I refuse to tip-toe through life….only to arrive safely at death.�? And, that is how he lived his life. He was most passionate about his motorcycles and loved to ride. “The more curves the better�?. “Four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul.�? Were other favorite quotes. Richard will be remembered by his friends and family as fun loving with an unquenchable sense of humor and a heart of gold. Towards the end of his life, Richard was most proud to have accepted Christ and rededicated his life. He counted his diagnosis of cancer as a blessing as it gave him an opportunity to share his testimony, repair relationships, and reunite with friends and family. Preceded in death by: Father, Ben Williams. Richard is survived by his wife, Cindy; two stepchildren, Matthew, age 17, and Meghan, age 13; His “baby�? Buster (a 4 lb. Chihuahua); Mother, Roberta Williams; Sisters, Devita Johnston and Sissy Myers; Neices, Amanda Miller and Ashley Lackey; A number of cousins and extended family also survive. Celebration of Life will be Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm at Smithview Pavilion, 601 Smithview Drive, Maryville, TN 37803 with Rev. Greg “C.P.�? Long officiating. Family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 PM, Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Smithview Pavilion. In lieu of flowers, Melanoma Research Fund, In Memory of Richard Williams, Mail to: PO Box 759329, Baltimore MD 21275-9329, or on-line at www.melanoma.org. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithMaryville.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Richard Paul Williams please visit our Sympathy Store.