The obituary notice of Richard Nigel (Richie) WILLIAMS

I've know Richie since he moved to Willington with his Perants. He took me under his wing when we were having kickabouts at the local football ground. He was such a great bloke and his enthusiasm for life and sport was massively infectious. Condolences to his family. RIP Richie.

Rich and I have been friends for over 65years,meeting at school through our love of football. There were no astroturf pitches, we used to play under street lamps and anywhere else were we could put our jumpers down to make goal posts. Football were bought jointly using our spending money. Rich was very good at improvising and roping in others to make up teams. He was also an excellent cricketer. He could very often be found practicing bowling on a strip of grass in a field on the farm opposite his house.
When we played local youth football Rich would scout around to find any players that could improve the team. I could go on but the thing about Rich was that he was a very nice person and a great friend. I will miss him greatly. RIP Rich

Richard Williams, SIR, simply the most wonderful man I have ever known. Kind hearted, passionate, caring man, the best school teacher whom had time for everyone. He played the most amazing role in my childhood days and was a big influence to me as an individual. I feel so humble about having called not just sir at school but also my friend. He was my form teacher in the third year at junior school. I still have my original school report and I will treasure this memory whilst ever I am alive to do so. It’s been an honour and a privilege to have him as part of my life. R.I.P. SIR, I will miss you and pay my respects by attending your funeral service with sadness but also pride. THANKYOU for everything you’ve been to me.
Ray Garlick.

Rich worked with my mum at Mickleover Junior school and I was lucky enough to be in his class during my 3rd year in 1979.

I’m not sure how Ofstead inspectors would view his teaching methods these days but for me I was in heaven that year!

I think we did PE every day. He would say we must do all these sums on the black board but if you work quickly we can go outside to play football, cricket, whatever. Pretty soon we would be walking past the other classrooms looking in smiling at everyone else stuck inside. Brilliant.

He would talk about lots of things but mostly his passion and mine which was sport. He loved boxing. He would stop class to play records, I always associate “these boots are made for walking” by Nanci Sinatra with Richie.

I remember him pedalling in to school on that shopper bike with rolled up trousers and odd socks! That was him, quirky!!

He got me playing for Littleover Dazzlers and Derby Boys after helping to persuade my Dad it would be good for me.

I ended up as a PE Teacher (funny that) and used to talk about Rich when delivering units on coaching and the qualities you need to be successful. I also used some of his drills when coaching football but swapped out ‘John Robbo Robertson’ for other superstars of the game.

He was passionate, caring and so engaging. I was gutted that I could only be in his class for one year. But his influence stayed with me and lots of others for ever. Top Man.

RIP Richie
Ant Gray

A massive positive influence in my life as a young boy who loved playing football. Rich always improved my self esteem and taught me to work hard and play hard. Glad he came to my fiftieth birthday party . I said to Rich “ Not sure I learnt much at school when you were my class teacher playing football and cricket most of the time”. Rich is in usual cheerful manner said “well you turned out alright”. Rich was a true gentleman and was kind and compassionate. A lovely bloke who I will miss.

R.I.P. Richie - A top man!
David Fern