Richard E. "Dick" Williams

​Richard E. Williams, better known as Dick or E.J, died peacefully on January 22, 2022, at Morristown Medical Center.

Born and raised in North Plainfield to the late Richard and Sybil Williams (nee Parry), he was a graduate of North Plainfield High School. Dick went on to attend Rider University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He was a certified economic developer with the IEDC and completed the Harvard University Government Leadership Program.

A staple of Somerville, Dick started his distinguished career in public service with Somerset County in the office of Economic Development, eventually becoming the director of the department. Later, he was appointed to the role of county administrator serving in that position for 20 years. Early in his career, he played an instrumental part in the public-private partnership that brought AT&T, Johnson and Johnson and many other large companies into Somerset County. Dick founded the Fifth Friday Friars club which brought together local businesses for networking events.

As administrator, Dick helped steer the county through tremendous growth by balancing the need for services while keeping taxes low. He instituted the first county-wide recycling program, oversaw the creation of the Neshanic Valley golf course and created new agencies to meet the needs of the county residents. He was most proud of being able to fund improvements to senior citizen services such as a new headquarters for the Visiting Nurse Association, Meals on Wheels and a senior citizen transportation network.

Later in his career, he was instrumental in bringing the Somerset Patriots minor league franchise to Somerset County in a “tax-payer neutral” manner. Additionally, he led the effort to have the county purchase the 500-acre Natirar property in Peapack-Gladstone to preserve it from overdevelopment. Additionally, he created and funded an expansion of the Adult Day Care Center. His long-time advocacy for infrastructure renewal led to a stronger economic future for Somerset County and everyone who lives here.

It would be an understatement to say Dick was a sports enthusiast. He was a star athlete in High School and was one of the early founders of the Rider University wrestling program. After college, he would play in competitive touch football leagues for many years. He devoted himself to supporting his children and grandchildren’s high school and collegiate athletic teams and events. Dick and his family were Rutgers Football season ticket holders for over 40 years. He enjoyed going to the games and tailgating with family and many dear friends. Every Memorial Day, Dick and his family and friends could be found on High Street in Somerville celebrating and cheering the annual bike races. He had an incredible knowledge of most sports and enjoyed watching televised sporting events, especially football, wrestling and Premier League soccer.

Dick cared deeply about his family and friends and loved to hear about everyone’s lives and accomplishments. This has helped make memories that will last for generations.
He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 44 years, Jane Kavanaugh Williams, his loving children, Richard E. Williams III and wife Roseanne McCauley, Kimberly Robb and husband Joel, Matthew Williams and wife Carolyn Hoenisch, Evan Williams, and Mary Kate Lynch and husband Ryan, his cherished grandchildren Brendan, Ashley, Kathryn, Matthew, Jack, Elise, Richard, Robert, Owen, Brooks and Bernice, his dear sister Gail Peins and husband Manford, numerous nieces and nephews as well as his extended family, friends, and the Somerset County community.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for visitation on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Friday, January 28, 2022, at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9:00AM.

Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Somerville.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick’s memory to the Lehigh University Women’s Golf Team at 641 Taylor Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015 or SHIP (Samaritan Homeless Interim Program) c/o Church of the Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, New Jersey 08876