Richard E. Williams, 72, of Fairhaven died January 8, 2007 at home after a brief illness.
He was the husband of Mary E. (Lanagan) Williams.
Born and educated in Brockton, the son of the late Arthur D. and Elizabeth (Reardon) Williams, he lived in Taunton while summering at West Island, Fairhaven. In his retirement, he resided in Fairhaven and Indialantic, Florida.
He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven. Attendance at Mass and reception of the Holy Eucharist was a daily devotion of Mr. Williams.
Mr. Williams was formerly a history school teacher for 37 years, retiring as principal of the South Jr. High School, Brockton in 1997. The auditorium at South Jr. High School was named the Richard E. Williams Auditorium in his honor. After retirement he was principal of St. Edward's School.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife; 4 sons, Richard Williams, Jr., and his wife Stacy, Robert Williams, John Williams, and his wife Kim, and Mark Williams, and his wife Nancy, all of Taunton; 4 sisters, Mildred Waterman of Halifax, MA, Margaret Lundstedt of Middleboro, Barbara Sullivan of Bridgewater and Ruth Driscoll of Pembroke; 8 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Robert Williams and Nancy Chapman.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, Friday, January 12th at 10 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven at 11 AM. Burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, New Bedford. Visiting hours Thursday, January 11th from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, P.O. Box 111, Fairhaven, MA 02719, www.sscc.org.