Richard "Big Rich" McWilliams, Sr., of Tucker, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at the age of 74.
Richard was born to the late Anor and Mamie McWilliams on June 15, 1946 in Laurens, SC. He was an outgoing young man who grew up attending the segregated schools of Laurens, SC graduating from Sanders High School in 1964. A proud alumnus of Sanders High, Richard attended his high school reunions in Laurens as often as he was physically able. After graduation, Richard moved to New Jersey joining his family that already lived in NJ, including his maternal uncle, Richard "Smitty" Smith, and his brother, Willie Joe McWilliams. Richard lived in Jersey City, NJ and East Rutherford, NJ before finally settling in Passaic, NJ where he met the love of his life, Diane A. McWilliams (Young).
Richard and Diane McWilliams were married on June 28, 1969 at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Passaic, NJ. Richard and Diane raised four children as their own in Passaic, NJ, including Richard H. McWilliams, Jr., Rasheed M. McWilliams, Daniele Dooley and Derrick Young.
Richard was affectionately known as "Daddy" or "Turk" by his children.
Richard was a dental technician at Madison Fields Lincoln Labs of Passaic, NJ for over 25 years, a security guard at Becton Dickinson of Oakland, NJ and a security guard at The General Hospital Center at Passaic for over 10 years.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Imani McWilliams; parents, Anor and Mamie McWilliams; and sisters, Anna Fuller and Betty Jean Lee.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Diane A.McWilliams; daughter and son-in-law, Daniele and CraigDooley; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Howard, Jr., and Corleone McWilliams, Rasheed and Sasha McWilliams, Derrick Young; grandchildren, Alan Dixon and wife, Rosa, Toshiba Dixon, Veronica Dixon, Adrian Dooley-McWilliams, Kimani McWilliams, Collin Dooley; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Smaw, Aziah Dixon, Amani Dixon, Zayin Dixon; brother, Willie Joe and Josephine McWilliams; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service for Mr. McWilliams will be held Saturday, February 6, 2021, 1:00 P.M., at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, with Rev. Kamau Welcher officiating and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the funeral home, two hours prior to his service, from 11:00 A.M. –1:00 P.M.
CDC guidelines recommend social distancing (6 feet apart) and wearing of masks while in public. Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home requests that you observe these recommendations while in our funeral home attending visitations and/or services. In addition, gatherings are limited to 50 persons or less in our facility at one time. Please honor these restrictions for the safety of the family, yourself, and our staff.
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