It is with great sadness, confusion and a trust in God that I report the transition of my twin and my partner through life, Richard "Flick" Williams. There are no details at this time. My heart is beyond broken.
To our knowledge, he wasn't sick. He told a cousin and a neighbor days before that he was fighting a cold. He hadn't seen a doctor in about ten years -- that "manly thing". Of all the images I have of Flick through the years, the last one I chose is him going to sleep and not waking up -- making his transition in the "Flick" of an eye. So my answer to what happened is that his heart stopped. Why? Emotionally, it doesn't matter because my life is forever changed.
Sandra Ann & Richard Lamonte Williams, 1954
For the longest times it seemed that our names were one: Sandra&Ritchie. And while we weren't biological twins we were extremely close throughout our lives.
With that one mindset we had, we began telling our classmates that we were twins around our junior high/high school years. It was funny how it was so readily accepted, even though I was a grade ahead of Ritchie -- probably because I was a model "A" student and he wasn't. What he was, was musically gifted.
From his biography:
Richard Lamonte Williams
"Flick"
The amazing seed of music was planted in his spirit when as a child he watched his great uncle, Richard Davenport play his guitar. When in his youth his father made him a set of bongos from coffee cans. and his mother encouraged him to explore his gifts. From that point on he was hooked on that thing called music. Flick was born and raised in Buffalo, New York at a time when the music seen was vibrant. The sounds of bands playing and musicians practicing could be heard in every corner of the city, and he knew that he had to be a part of that sound. In grade school he took violin, and clarinet lessons. In Jr. High he moved on to the saxophone, flute, and was a member of the Choir. Flick went on to Buffalo's East High School, which at that time was a musician's candy store. People like Grover Washington, Rick James, Kenny Hawkins, the Shaw brothers, Jerry Livingston, and most of the hottest musicians on the local scene passed through those doors. He was in the school band, the choir,participated in talent shows, and though he was under age, Flick was playing in clubs with some of the hottest bands in town. It was at this time that he began to write and arrange music in various styles.
Throughout his career as a writer,arranger, and performer he has never confined himself to one style of music. The one thing that remains constant in his musical journey is writing, exploring, and painting musical pictures in various styles. From Jazz to Classical, R & B to Reggae, the music is what is important not the label.
And a message from Richard Lamonte Williams (Flick). I have been blessed to express the feelings of the soul through music, and what I've received through these blessings far exceed what I could ever give. Through the love of my family and friends, and those close to my heart. Through the strength of my ancestors, and through the grace of God, I leave you with this:
Plant a seed of Love,
In the soil of Hope.
Nurture it with the Nectar of Wisdom
Smile and watch it Grow
Flick"
