Richard Paul Williams, 46, of Knoxville passed away Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 1:45 a.m. of stage 4 melanoma. He was at home with his wife Cindy by his side.

Richard was born March 24, 1966 to Ben and Roberta Williams. His childhood was spent in Loudon and he graduated from Loudon High School with the class of 1984. He married the love of his life, Cindy, on May 17, 2008 and became a proud step-dad to Matthew and Meghan.

Richard was a skilled maintenance technician and worked for many years at Denso Manufacturing. He moved up to a new career at Energizer Personal Care in November 2011. Richard was an avid outdoors person and a self-described adrenaline junky. One of his favorite quotes was "I refuse to tip-toe through life. ... Only to arrive safely at death." And, that is how he lived his life.

He was most passionate about his motorcycles and loved to ride. Other favorite quotes were: "The more curves the better" and "Four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul."

Richard will be remembered by his friends and family as fun loving with an unquenchable sense of humor and a heart of gold. Toward the end of his life, Richard was most proud to have accepted Christ and rededicated his life. He counted his diagnosis of cancer as a blessing as it gave him an opportunity to  share his testimony, repair relationships and reunite with friends and family.
He was preceded in death by: father, Ben Williams. 

Richard is survived by his wife, Cindy; two stepchildren, Matthew, 17, and Meghan, 13; his "baby" Buster (a four pound Chihuahua); mother, Roberta Williams; sisters, Devita Johnston and Sissy Myers; nieces, Amanda Miller and Ashley Lackey; a number of cousins and extended family also survive.

Celebration of life will be Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Smithview Pavilion, 601 Smithview Drive, Maryville, with the Rev. Greg "C.P." Long officiating. Family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m., Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Smithview Pavilion. In lieu of flowers: Melanoma Research Fund, in memory of Richard Williams, mail to: PO Box 759329, Baltimore MD 21275-9329, or online at http://www.melanoma.org. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithMaryville.com.