Richard S. Williams

Richard S. Williams, 84, of Oberlin, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2015. He was born August 3, 1931, in New London. He earned his Associate Degree in Communication Elec- tronics from Fenn College Technical Institute. Richard was employed as an electronics technician for the National Aer- onautics and Space Administration, NASA, for 14 years, fol- lowed by 17 years as a data systems computer specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration. He retired in 1987 after 35 years of government service. He received his training in electronics in the United States Air Force and was retained as one of the first minority electronics instruc- tors upon completion of his training.

His passion however, was working with people in the com- munity. After being active in many civic groups, he was elected as a township trustee for New Russia Township in 1982. He proudly served in this role for 26 years. He is the first African American to serve as trustee in the township. During his tenure as a township trustee, Richard also served at the state level. As a member of the Ohio Township Association, he served four years as a director, two years as secretary-treasurer, three years as vice president and three years as president. He was the first and only African Amer- ican to serve the state in this role.

Richard has many awards, accomplishments to his credit and service. They include: Graduate Leadership Lorain County Class of 1990, Board of Directors for Lorain County Voices for Children, Board of Directors for Oberlin Cable Co-op, Board of Directors for Rural Lorain County Water Authority, Lorain County Community College Vision 21 and 15 Council, Oberlin Senior Citizens Advisory Board, three years State of Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, State of Ohio Oversight Commission Nominating Committee (Ohio Revised Code), recipient of the first Robert Thomas N.A.A.C.P. New Image Award- 1993, four years Oberlin Rec- reation Director and recipient of the Apollo Achievement Award from N.A.S.A.

His hobbies include family, riding his tractor and garden- ing.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley C. Williams of Oberlin; daughters, Sharon L. (Bill) Patmon of Cleveland, Linda I. Williams of Richmond Heights; son, Rick S. Williams Jr. of Cincinnatti; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and sisters, Charlotte Ivey of Cleveland, Marguerite Bradley of Sun City West, Arizona and Lois Young of Seattle, Wash-