Maestro Peter J. Williams

Maestro Peter J. Williams, 67, of South Attleboro, MA, an accomplished pianist and conductor, passed away on January 13, 2021 at his residence following a period of declining health.
Born in Pawtucket, RI on May 17, 1953, he was a son of the late Thomas E. and Drusilla Williams.
He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Barrington College and completed graduate studies in conducting and composition at Vandercook College in Chicago, where he studied and performed under Chicago Symphony organist, Thomas Weisflog, and acclaimed composer-conductor, John Rutter.
Highly regarded as a pianist and conductor, Peter Williams released his first solo album for piano, "Silent Night, Holy Night," in 1995.  The recording has since become a much-requested Christmas time favorite on Boston's WGBH and WCRB radio stations.
The recording, "Just me, Just Piano," features Williams's own compositions and selected hymns of faith and received the following review from Dancin' Dave Derbyshire on CrossRythms.co.uk.
His release, "In the Bleak Mid-Winter," is a collection of his solo piano arrangements of Christmas favorites.
Williams has hosted radio shows on 1230 WARL radio Attleboro/Providence, and WARA and WJIB stations in Cambridge, MA.  He received major motion picture credit for arranging and directing the soundtrack for MGM Studio's "Oleanna" by American playwright David Mamet.
He served as the Minister of Music at the United Methodist Church in North Attleboro and Plainville.  Times spent aboard the "Blue Heaven" on Narragansett Bay were among his favorite memories.
Mr. Williams is the retired head of the vocal department for the North Stonington, CT public school system.
He was the Founding Director of the Williams Chorale.
He leaves two sisters: Mary Blake and her husband, David, of North Attleboro, MA and Susan Whitlock in California; his dear friends: John and Ruth Johnson of Attleboro, MA and Steven Fallon and Karen Bacardi Fallon of Brookline, MA and nieces, nephews, dear colleagues and friends.  He was the brother of the late Michael Williams.
Visitation is respectfully omitted.
Funeral service and burial will be private in Newell Burying Ground, South Attleboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name and memory may be made to the United Methodist Church, 20 Hoppin Hill Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760.
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200