I attended his memorial service at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, Calif. today. Many of those attending were members of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., of which he was a member. Friends and family members addressed the audience, and the program concluded with a band performing what they described as their version of the “missing man formation” performed by combat fliers when they did his hit “Autumn Leaves.” The band accompanied a recording of Williams playing the tune, but no one played the piano on the set.
Thank you. I grew up hearing his piano playing in my parent’s house on a daily basis. He will be missed.