Franklin, TN - Richard Larry Williams, M.D., physician, lifelong learner, and ever curious about life's offerings, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2026 at the age of 82, following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his adoring wife of 57 years, Madalyn "Mandy" Riley Williams.

He was a devoted father to his son, Richard Thomas Williams (Andrea Arnold), and daughter, Lydia Beth Williams Murphy (Bart Murphy); a proud grandfather to Allie, Ryan, Riley, Amelia, and Sophie; and a caring sibling to his sister, Doris Williams Radcliffe, and brother Lawrence. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Murray and Euna Williams, and his brother, Lawrence Williams.

Known to most as Larry, he was born on January 31, 1944, in Jackson, Tennessee, where he was raised and would later build a successful career as a respected gastroenterologist. He attended South Side High School, where he formed lifelong friendships that endured for decades, including an annual New Year's Eve tradition spanning 50 years.

Encouraged by his father and cousin Sarah, Larry attended Union University, where he earned his undergraduate degree, and went on to receive his M.D. from the University of Tennessee Medical Units in Memphis in 1968. In 1969, he served as a plant physician for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Cumberland City, Tennessee, where he met his future wife, Mandy Riley of Erin, Tennessee, on a blind date that quickly turned into a lifetime of love. The two were married in January 1970 while Larry was completing his internship at Bexar County General Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

From July 1970 to July 1971, Larry practiced family medicine with Doctors Luten and Mitchum at Hillcrest Clinic in Erin, Tennessee. He later completed his residency in Internal Medicine at UTMU in 1974 and joined the Florence Clinic in Florence, Alabama. In 1975, he returned to Jackson with his family and joined The Jackson Clinic. Pursuing his growing interest in gastroenterology, he completed additional training and became a board-certified gastroenterologist in 1982.

After retiring from The Jackson Clinic in 2007, Larry continued practicing medicine at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, followed by several years of locum tenens work in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Muncie, Indiana. During this time, Larry and Mandy relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He fully embraced retirement in 2020.

Though quiet, reserved, and thoughtful, Larry was a passionate and loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed attending games with his family and rarely missed an opportunity to watch them play, including spring training each season. His appreciation for wine matched his enthusiasm for baseball, and he took great pleasure in sharing thoughtfully selected vintages with family and friends.

When not working, Larry could often be found supporting his children at their sporting events, cheering on teams such as the EDS Griffins and later the USJ Bruins. On weekends, he was known for attempting to teach his children how to drive a manual transmission—often in Jackson parking lots, and occasionally, with some risk, on public roads.

An avid traveler, Larry embraced every opportunity to explore the world with Mandy and their family. Together, they created lasting memories on trips to New York City, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, the Gulf Coast, and Disney World. As adults, their children and spouses joined them on memorable trips to Ireland and England. Larry and Mandy also traveled extensively on their own, enjoying cruises to Alaska and Europe, train journeys across the continent, and even pretending to be cowboys at a western ranch. One particularly memorable trip to Germany involved an unexpected encounter with a mattress sales pitch, prompting a quick and quiet exit.

A lifelong learner, Larry remained curious about the world throughout his life. He read the news daily, continued studying Spanish through Duolingo, and was a formidable Trivial Pursuit competitor. Anyone who spent time with him was likely to learn something new, whether they wanted to or not!

Perhaps most remarkable was Larry's journey from humble beginnings to a life of accomplishment. Raised in a home without indoor plumbing until the age of twelve, by parents who worked hard with limited means, he overcame significant obstacles through determination and education. He built a distinguished career and instilled in his children a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for learning. He firmly believed that education could change the trajectory of one's life and encouraged others to pursue it wholeheartedly.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Medical Intensive Care and Critical Care Units of Vanderbilt Medical Center for their compassionate care, as well as the staff at Alive Hospice Nashville for providing such comfort and attention.

In accordance with his wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.