Richard L. Williams

Richard L. Williams, 80, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021 in the presence of his family. He was born on February 8, 1941 in Akron, Ohio to James and Sadie (McWhorter) Williams.

Richard grew up in Akron, and he attended school there through his undergraduate years. He graduated with the class of 1959 from Buchtel High School and went on to complete a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music at University of Akron. This is where he met and fell in love with his wife, Barbara (Frutchey) Williams. After leaving Akron, he moved to Illinois to complete a Master of Music in Piano Performance from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. During his graduate training, he served as both a studio pianist and an opera coach. His esteemed teachers included Margaret Baxstresser, Malcom Bilson, Stanley Fletcher and John Wustman.

For the next 48 years Richard taught, performed and coached at UMKC Conservatory School of Music and Dance until his retirement in 2018. He was the coach and pianist for the Conservatory opera productions and the Conservatory Young Artist program shared with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. He also taught English and Italian lyric diction for voice students as well as collaborative piano for undergraduate piano performance majors. He served as the Interim Chair of the Vocal Studies Division from 2002 until 2008. His performances in the greater Kansas City Area included pianist for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, pianist for Kansas City district and regional competition for the Metropolitan Opera National Council, pianist for West Central regional competition of the Music Teachers National Association and pianist at Heritage Presbyterian Church. He was also the pianist for auditions of the Des Moines Metro Opera and the Ohio Light Opera for many years as well as music director and vocal coach for the Seagle Music Colony in New York.

Richard received many professional honors over the years including the Trustees Award for Excellence in Teaching, serving as the Hohenberg-Scheidt Artist in Residence at the University of Memphis, an award from the Kansas City Music club recognizing his "many outstanding contributions to the cultural life of the Kansas City metropolitan area", and a certificate of appreciation for his contributions in the Civic Opera of Kansas City.

In his personal time Richard enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, supporting charities he believed in, exploring different foods and cultures, staying up to date with technology, spoiling his grandchildren and coffee in any form. He was the lifelong accompanist for his daughters who play the violin, and he enjoyed any meal made by his son who is a professional chef. His strong faith in God guided him through his whole life, and he will be remembered for both his kind heart and his music.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sadie Williams; his sisters, Roberta Dudding and Betty Hunter; and his brothers James Williams Jr., Clifford Williams and Bill Williams. Richard is survived by his wife Barbara Williams; his children Tara Wilson (John Conner), Erin Migliazzo (Nick), Ryan Williams (Laura); and four grandchildren: Nathan Williams, Stella Williams, Lexi Zweifel and Gatlin Zweifel.

There will be a memorial service in his honor on Saturday, December 4th, 3:30 p.m. at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 15550 S Lackman Rd Olathe, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Richard's memory can be made to Harvesters.





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