Roger Williams

Roger Scott Williams, of Houston, TX, passed away suddenly on Thursday March 24th. Roger lived an adventurous and, at times, unbelievable life. A quasi-traditional southern gentleman, he relocated to Houston where he worked as both a NASA technician and a highly celebrated hairstylist throughout the 1970s and 80s. It was there he met his first and only wife Benalu Schlein, converting to Judaism for their marriage, a faith he followed devoutly for the rest of his life. A longtime member of Congregation Emanu El, Roger was an active participant in the temple's Brotherhood, through which he met many lifelong friends. Although his marriage to Benalu was short-lived they remained close, raising their daughter Natasha Devereux-Williams together. The focal point in his life thereafter, Roger was a dedicated father. Loving and infinitely generous, he was both a friend and confident to Natasha, her greatest fan and fiercest advocate. Cantankerous as he could be; this storytelling savant was a kind-hearted and selfless friend, father, father-in-law, brother, son, husband, ex-husband, and teacher. A quick-witted and sage man, Roger was a mentor to countless people over the years, supporting each with extraordinary wisdom and compassion. Extraordinary is a term best used to describe him; he was a survivor, a man of many interests and talents, with an anecdote ready for every occasion. A traveler throughout his life, Roger loved nothing more than being on the road, one of his many dogs by his side. As loving to animals as he was to people, a succession of rescues filled Roger's homes and benefited from his love and dedication over the years. He is survived by his daughter Natasha, her husband Philip, and the entire Schlein-Muse extended family, of which he was an integral and dedicated member. Roger will be deeply missed and never forgotten; his voice and infectious laughter forever ringing in the ears and filling the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.