Richard "Rick" Morris Williams

Richard “Rick” Morris Williams passed away on January 2, 2026, at the age of 81.

Rick was born on May 24, 1944, in Long Beach, California, to Grace Grindle Cooney Williams. His biological father was Conrad Cooney, and his stepfather was Earl Williams. Rick grew up with three siblings: Randel, Jill, and Gil.

Rick graduated from Poulsbo High School in Poulsbo, Washington, in 1962. Following high school, he served in the United States Army and received a medical discharge. After leaving the Army, he met the love of his life, Lynette Peets. They were married on December 28, 1963, in Arcata, California, and in 2025 celebrated an extraordinary 62 years of marriage.

Rick earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Washington in Seattle in 1970. After graduation, he and Lynette settled in Dallas, Texas, where Rick began his actuarial career at Fidelity Union. While working full-time, he studied diligently and, after seven years, achieved Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries in 1978—a testament to his perseverance and dedication.

That same year, Rick and Lynette moved to San Diego, California, where he worked for the Life Insurance Company of California, later known as EF Hutton Life. During his time there, Rick and two colleagues designed the first Universal Life insurance product. He spent several years traveling with an attorney to all 50 states to secure regulatory approval for the product—an accomplishment that left a lasting mark on the insurance industry.

In 1984, Rick accepted a position with John Alden Life in Miami, Florida. After his supervisor left, Rick and Dick Johnson were appointed to run the life division. Under their leadership, the company flourished, and Rick especially enjoyed taking insurance agents on sales rewards trips, including Windstar sailing trips in the Mediterranean, the West Indies, and Tahiti; travels to England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Vienna, and Paris; and the rare experiences of riding the Orient Express and flying aboard the British Airways Concorde supersonic jet.

Following the sale of John Alden in 1997, Rick briefly explored marketing with a friend, leading him and Lynette to Las Vegas for a short time. Realizing his true passion was actuarial work, Rick accepted a position as Product Actuary with American National Insurance Company in Galveston, Texas. While there, Rick and Lynette embraced the local culture, joining a Mardi Gras Krewe and forming lifelong friendships. Their home became a beloved gathering place, especially during Mardi Gras celebrations.

Rick retired in 2008, and he and Lynette moved to a beachfront condo in Pompano Beach, Florida, to be closer to their children. In 2016, they relocated to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, to follow their daughter, Stacey and her family and to be near their cherished grandson, Camden. After moving to Santa Rosa Beach, Rick obtained his real estate license so he could work alongside his daughter. One of Rick’s greatest joys was watching his grandson, Camden, play baseball; he loved attending his games and traveling to his tournaments.

Rick and Lynette were avid travelers and adventurers, having been on over 40 cruises and exploring destinations all around the world. They were also fortunate to see much of the United States, often traveling in their motorhome. One of Rick’s favorite destinations was Yellowstone National Park.

Rick greatly enjoyed golfing and treasured the opportunity to attend the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia—an experience he spoke of often and remembered fondly. He also loved cheering on his son, Aaron, during his soccer games and was immensely proud when Aaron was one of only two freshmen to earn a spot on the varsity high school soccer team. Another passion that brought Rick great joy was scuba diving. He began diving when his daughter, Stacey, turned 12, and she convinced him to get certified so she could as well. Together, they enjoyed many day trips to the Florida Keys, exploring the underwater world side by side. On a family trip to Hawaii, Rick and Stacey were able to scuba dive together again, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Rick continued his love of diving throughout his life, traveling the world to dive in remarkable locations including the Mediterranean Sea off Portofino, Italy, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Tahiti—where he enjoyed his final dive. These passions reflected Rick’s lifelong sense of adventure, deep pride in his children, and joy in sharing meaningful experiences with those he loved.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife, Lynette; daughter, Stacey Lynn Williams Salveson, and son-in-law, Clinton Salveson; his son, Aaron Michael Williams; grandson, Camden Salveson; brother, Randel Williams; sister-in-law, Diane Williams; sister, Jill Taylor; brother-in-law, Doug Taylor; and his brother, Gill Williams; as well as his niece, Dalia Taylor; and nephews, Peter Williams, Mark Williams, Jake Williams, and Brad Williams.

A memorial service will be held on January 31, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Point Washington United Methodist Church at 1290 North County Highway 395 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.