Mr. Richard Wills, 88, longtime resident of Boston, Mass., and renowned architect and principal of Royal Barry Wills Associates, Inc., passed away peacefully in Boston on Nov. 8.
Richard Wills was born in Melrose, Mass. on April 22, 1926, one of two sons of the late Royal Barry Wills and Marguerite (Waggett) Wills. He was a graduate of Melrose High School and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Richard received his Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, and his architectural education from the Boston Architectural Center, now known as the Boston Architectural College. He joined his father’s architecture firm, Royal Barry Wills and Associates, in 1952 and became an associate in 1958. In 1962, he became full partner and continued working as principal of the firm until his passing.
Mr. Wills practiced architecture for over 60 years, designing houses and projects throughout the U.S. His custom residential designs drew inspiration from Early American architecture. Building on the firm’s widely recognized design contributions to the Cape Cod style home, Mr. Wills broadened the scope of the firm’s architectural influence, designing preparatory school buildings, corporate headquarters, galleries, churches, commercial retail projects and multi-family dwellings.
Mr. Wills was most passionate when discussing project plans and describing his firm’s work with others. After listening carefully, he was always able to turn clients’ visions into beautiful homes to best fit their needs.
Mr. Wills was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame in 2008 and his designs were chosen as the House of the Year by Country Living Magazine in both 1989 and 1991. His work was also featured on the television program, Bob Vila’s Home Again in 2002. He authored three books on residential design: At Home in New England (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013), Houses for Good Living (Architectural Book Publishing Co., 1993), and More Houses for Good Living (Architectural Book Publishing Co., 1968). His work was also published in numerous books, magazines and newspapers.
Mr. Wills was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Boston Preservation Alliance and served as a commissioner on the City of Boston’s Beacon Hill Architectural Commission. At the Boston Architectural Center, he served on the membership committee and as class advisor. Additionally, he was a longtime member of the American Institute of Architects.
Summering on Great East Lake in Maine during his youth, Mr. Wills developed a love for spending time on and near the water. After meeting his late wife, Janet, Mr. Wills developed an appreciation for the Maine coast and specifically for Westport Island where Janet’s family had a cottage. Over the years, he developed a strong connection to Westport and the surrounding waters.
He spent many hours aboard the family’s sailboat, Twist III and was happiest with the warm summer sun shining upon his face. Together, he and Janet taught their daughters how to sail and enjoyed many family sailing adventures on the Sheepscot River.
When not under sail, he was happy sitting on the porch, binoculars in hand, watching others attempted to navigate the wind and waves or playing a game of bocce with his grandchildren. Mr. Wills’ other great joys in life were skiing, golfing, dancing and jazz music. He also had a particular fondness for Cape Cod and the waters around Oyster Harbors in Osterville.
Mr. Wills was the husband of the late Janet (Gardner) Wills and the late Phyllis (Treadway) O’Toole Wills and the father of Sarah W. Wills-Viega and husband Steve of Walpole, and Jessica B. Wills-Lipscomb and husband Doug and their children Travis W. Lipscomb and Austin G. Lipscomb of San Antonio, Tex. and Boston, Mass.; brother of Charles B. Wills and wife Arnie of Lynnfield, and brother-in-law of Harty Gardner and wife Carolyn of McLean, Va. He was also survived by his very close friend Nancy Alger, Phyllis’ daughters Sally Whitesell and Ellen Hoeffel, and many nieces and nephews.
All are invited to gather in honor and remembrance of Richard’s life at King’s Chapel, 58 Tremont St., Boston, Mass., where his memorial service will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13.
Donations in honor of Richard’s memory may be made to Historic New England for the Royal Barry Wills Archive Fund, 141 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.
For online tribute, condolences, or to share a memory please visit www.RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
