Richard Wheeler Williams

Richard "Dick" Wheeler Williams, 82, born on July 24, 1934, in Los Angeles, California. He passed away at his home in Huntington Beach, California on August 27, 2016 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth "Ann" (Tillery) Nestler. He is was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Ellen (Wheeler) Williams and his brother, William. He is also survived by his children, daughter Margo Penardi (Paul), son Christopher, son Brett, stepdaughter Cheryl Odell (David), and stepson Jerry Nestler (Tami). Grandchildren, Brooke Odell, Kaylinn Buchanan (Grant), Crystal Charles Rodriguez (Juan), Kerri Penardi, Bryanna Meredith (Blake), Chelsie Nestler, Makenna Williams, Jordan Williams, Tayjanea Williams, and Deshon Williams. Great -grandchildren, Addyson Meredith, Abigail Charles Rodriguez, Katelynn Meredith, and Huxley Buchanan.

Dick served with the Air Force in England from 1955 to 1958. He then worked in optical contact lens sales and was regarded as an early pioneer at Allergan. He then started his own contact lens lab, Quality Optics in Burbank, California. He later sold the business before retiring in 1998. He and Ann traveled the world with their dear friends and moved to Trilogy in Glen Ivy. There he started the first RV club and became its president. He loved to cruise and at last count had been on over 20 cruises with Ann. He loved his garden and he loved cooking and being with his family the most.

The family wishes to thank Companion Hospice and its wonderful nurses who cared for Dick and Ann the last week of his life. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Dignity Health St. Mary Medial Center Long Beach for their care and compassion during his many visits the past two years.

Please join the family on Wednesday, September 7th at 11:30 AM for his Military Funeral at Church of our Fathers Forest Lawn in Cypress.