WILLIAMS, Charles
1955 – 2025
With heavy hearts we said goodbye to our husband, father, grandfather, Charles Richard ‘Rick’ Williams of Red Deer, Alberta. Rick passed away at his home, surrounded by his much-cherished wife and family, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the age of 69 years. Rick was born on July 27, 1955 in Brantford, Ontario. He spent his formative years in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia until his family relocated to Alberta in 1973, where he met his soul mate with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Rick and Donna spent forty-nine years of adventures together raising their two daughters, Jenny (Brad) and Angie (John), traveling and living all around the western Provinces and back and forth to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, before finally returning to Red Deer in 2023. Rick learned the meaning of hard work and family from a young age when he stepped into the role of father figure when he wasn’t much more than a boy. The list on his resume starts off with mowing lawns and baling hay as a boy and went on from there. He spent his working career in the Oil and Gas Industry but that was just the way he made his living. He wore many hats but most of all, Rick was a devoted husband and father whose greatest achievements were loving and supporting his daughter’s dreams and encouraging them to find their own paths. He gave them wings and he was so very proud of them. When Rick and Donna weren’t buying and renovating their next home, they were packing up their house and home and moving to a new job, a new town and another adventure. When the girls grew up, Donna covered many miles in the cab of the truck, keeping Rick company and exploring this country and beyond. Whenever they settled long enough to turn a house into a beautiful home, Rick would find some like-minded musicians and entertain folks with his love of music and drumming. Rick credited his maternal grandfather and uncle Jack with introducing him to the Masons. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge for more than twenty-five years where he, in true Rick fashion, worked his way to Worshipful Master. There are so many stories to share of fishing at Lake Minnewanka, camping in the foothills, card games that would go long into the morning hours, playing drums at parties and dances, and the list goes on. He had a great sense of humour and enjoyed a good joke and especially a naughty joke. These are the stories that will sustain us all in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. Rick will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Donna and daughters, Jennifer (Brad) of Red Deer and Angela (John) of Australia and his two grandsons, Roman and Cooper of Red Deer. He will also
be sadly missed by his brothers, Russ (Sandy), Randy (Sylvia), John (Cheryl), and Micheal (Collette), and his sisters, Liz (Ken), Jude, Janice (Charlie), and Laura (George), his special cousin, Myrna, his mother-in-law, Sandy, his many nieces and nephews, and his lifelong friends Ross, Doug and Glen. Rick was predeceased by his mother, Lauretta Pettis and his infant grandson, Ethan. Rick was a mountain of a man with many attributes; forever remembered for his strength, yet kind and gentle ways. When you lose someone you love, remember…although you can no longer see them, you will always feel them in your heart and they will forever remain with you. That white feather that causes you to smile, the shooting star in the night sky, the raven that seems to follow you as you drive along, the song that makes you smile and remember, these are the gentle reminders “I am still with you.” Remember all the beautiful moments with joy. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2025-04-01
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com