Richard Wills, a longtime resident of Boston, Massachusetts, and renowned architect and principal of Royal Barry Wills Associates, died peacefully in Boston on Nov. 8, 2014 at age 88.

He was born in Melrose, Massachusetts 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 World War II. Richard received a Bachelor of Arts degree 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 death.

He practiced architecture for over 60 years, designing houses and projects throughout the United States. His custom residential designs drew inspiration from early American architecture. While setting the standard for the highest quality, he focused on traditional forms that conveyed understated elegance and New England charm.

The firm will continue with the same passion of Richard Wills and the design legacy of Royal Barry Wills with Richard’s daughter and Royal’s granddaughter, Jessica B. Wills, as lead architect and principal of the firm.

He 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.

Summering on Great East Lake in Maine during his youth, he developed a love for spending time on and near the water. After meeting his late wife, Janet, he 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. His other great joys in life were skiing, golfing, dancing and jazz music.

He 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 her husband Steve of Walpole, Maine and Jessica B. Wills-Lipscomb, her husband Doug and their children Travis W. Lipscomb and Austin G. Lipscomb of San Antonio, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts. He was the brother of Charles B. Wills and his wife Arnie of Lynnfield, and brother-in-law of Harty Gardner and his wife Carolyn of McLean, Virginia. 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, Massachusetts where his Memorial Service will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. 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.