Richard "Rick" Owen Williams II, of Lorain, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Mercy New Life Hospice. He was born on December 26, 1950 in Amherst and graduated in 1969 from Marion L. Steele High School. Rick received his bachelor's Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in 1998.He began his professional career as a Special Education teacher in Loudonville and for a short time, on the Navajo Reservation. He retired in 2005 after 31 years as a Work Study Coordinator for the Educational Service Center of Lorain County. He was passionately committed to providing life skills and vocational opportunities to thousands of high school students in the Lorain, Midview, Firelands, Wellington, and Keystone School Districts and the Lorain County JVS. Post-retirement, Rick enjoyed working for L.E.A. P. as an Independent Living Specialist.Rick was an accomplished Blues musician. Beginning at fourteen years of age, he was the lead singer, played guitar and the harmonica in a number of bands. He was most proud when his band, High Compression, performed with Bo Diddley at Peabody's DownUnder in 1986. In addition to his love for music, Rick enjoyed the Amherst Golf League, fishing, enjoying nature, and traveling in search of the perfect guitar, dusty antique, winning lottery ticket, or fortuitous slot machine. He was a dedicated husband and father, as well as a loving and engaged grandfather and will be greatly missed by all.In his final days Rick was surrounded by his loving wife of 44 years, Harriett (nee Ross); his children, Kristine (Jason), Dylan (Mindy), and Wesley; grandchildren, Storey, Harper, Desmond, and Maera; and his niece, Susan. He is also survived by his mother, Virginia (nee Gatchell); sister, Karen (Dan) Hajduk; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Owen Williams, of Amherst.Rick's family is planning a celebration of his life at a future date. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Kantharaj and the staff at the Hematology Oncology Center for their compassionate care.The family suggest contributions be made in memory of Rick to Schoepfle Garden, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, OH 44050 or to the Friendship Animal Protective League, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035.Online condolences may be left for the Williams family at www.dovinreberjones.comArrangements are under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center.