Richard P. Williams
July 9, 1933 – January 20, 2023 Richard Williams was born on July 9, 1933 in Butler, Pennsylvania and died on January 20, 2023. He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, due to complications of pneumonia. Richard has lived in Upland, California for the past 56 years. He was the second of two children born to Richard and Sophia Williams and he is survived by his sister Joanne Zambroski. Richard was a native of Butler, Pennsylvania and spent all his childhood there. He graduated from Butler High School and continued his education at Grove City College, where he graduated in 1955. Richard loved his experience at Grove City College and attended annual reunions there for the past 50 years. In 1956, Richard entered the U.S. Navy. Serving his country was very important to him, and he was a strong patriot all of his life. After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1959, Richard was hired at General Dynamics in Pomona as a business manager. There, he met his wife, Maryann, and they married in 1960. They had four children together, Richard, Patricia, Robert, and Pamela, and enjoyed a wonderful marriage of nearly 59 years before her passing in 2019. Richard retired from General Dynamics after 30 years and became a hard-working property owner. He didn’t believe in having a leasing agent, landscaper, housekeeping service, or painter, preferring to handle those responsibilities himself. He was also the primary repairman, hiring out mainly electrical and plumbing work. Richard’s wife and children were also incorporated into the business, and he was very happy and proud to have his family work alongside him. Richard took a job at Boys Republic School for Boys in Chino Hills in 1995 to supplement his income and focus on something other than the rental property business. Some of his responsibilities were documenting student movement and training new staff. Richard began with the expectation that this would be a short-term venture for him. However, he enjoyed being a part of something that affected the boys’ lives. He stayed at the company for 17 years. Richard was also involved in numerous activities and extensive service work in the community. He was a past chairman at the Upland Planning Commission and served as President of Upland National Little League for several years. Richard was a previous Exalted Ruler of the Pomona Elks Lodge #789, and a current member of the Ontario Elks Lodge. He was also a member of the Moose and AMVETS of Butler, Pennsylvania and was a former President of the Ontario/Upland Toastmasters #1506. Additionally, he was previously a Board Member of the Scheu Family YMCA in Upland. Before his passing, Richard was a current member of the Knights of Columbus in Ontario, California. Richard spoke very highly of these organizations and it was clear that they all held a very important place in his life. Above all, Richard was a devoted family man. Throughout his life of work, activities, and service commitments, his favorite role of all was that of “Papa.” Richard had nine grandchildren that provided a whole new dimension to his busy life, whom he loved with great passion. Richard is survived by his son Rick and daughter-in-law Christina, their children Katelyn and Angela, and Rick’s son Claude Pasos; daughter Patricia and daughter-in-law Christine Morgan, and their son Noah; his son Robert and his children Leah, Richard, and Johnny; his daughter Pamela and his son-in-law Art Shaw, their daughter Cassandra, and Pamela’s daughter Naomi.
