Milan Williams of The Commodores Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 07-11-2006, 11:24 PM

Milan B. Williams, an original member of the internationally acclaimed band The Commodores, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2006 at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Milan was born on Easter Sunday in Okolona, Mississippi on March 28, 1948. He was inspired and encouraged by his older brother, Earl, to begin playing piano as a child. His career began in high school when he formed his own 3 piece band in Okolona. His musical desire was further nurtured as keyboard player with a band in Tuskegee, Alabama called The Jays, which was the predecessor to the Grammy Award winning Commodores, of which he was a founding member. Milan wrote the very first hit for the Commodores, “Machine Gun” as well as many others with the band “The Bump”, “Let’s Get Started,” “Brick House,” and “Wonderland,” just to name a few.

Milan, with all of his success and stardom, was a very humble and caring man who loved life. He grew up in North Mississippi, attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL where he was an engineering major. He settled in the Los Angeles area and was a member of the Commodores for 20 years.

In October of 2000, Milan married his sweetheart of 10 years, Melanie Bruno-Williams, who remained by his side at all times until his death. Their deep and profound love is and always will be an inspiration to all of their family and friends.

Since the day he was diagnosed with cancer, he was committed to fight the disease and beat it. He never gave up and his strength and positive attitude throughout all of this showed his determination and true character. Milan often spoke about how very blessed he was that he got to live his dream, making music, and enjoy the hobbies he loved most, flying airplanes and playing golf.

Milan leaves behind his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams, two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, brothers Earl Williams (Nettie) of Hilton Head, SC and Lance Williams (Gail) of Atlanta, GA and sister Terry (Dwight Deans) of Decatur, GA, several special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncle and cousins. He leaves behind his mother-in-law Louise Rogalny, father-in law John Rogalny, brother-in law Marty Rogalny and sisters-in-law Dana Rae & Kathrine Clark, all of Los Angeles. He also leaves a large Tuskegee and “Commodores” family and many special friends who have been there throughout his illness.

Milan was preceded in death by his parents Earl L.Williams, Sr. and Julia Bowen Williams of Okolona, Mississippi.

Walter Orange spoke on behalf of the Commodores, “He was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He’ll always be remembered.”

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to Leukemia Research at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. The funeral will be in Okolona on Friday, July 14, where he will be interred. There will be a memorial service in Los Angeles in August.

urbannetwork.com

PrettyinPink55 · 07-12-2006, 12:16 AM

We're losing all of these great people!!!

That hospital isn't too far away from where I am!

vashti1999 · 07-12-2006, 12:31 AM

And I just noticed he shares my March 28 birthdate, so you know he was a cool dude! RIP.

hatwink · 07-13-2006, 10:33 AM

It's sad.My condolences go out to his family.I always felt that the Commodores should've had that reunion, but now it will never happen.

isiahthomas · 07-15-2006, 02:41 PM

I wonder if Lionel Richie is gonna go to the funeral. Lionel has acted like he doesn't want anything to do with The Commodores after he left them. I remember Motown had a 50th anniversary special a few years ago and The Commodores performed and Lionel didn't sing with them. I thought that was immature on his part because he hosted the program with Cedric The Entertainer. Lionel sang lead on most of their hits and nobody wants to see The Commodores perform without Lionel so he should've performed with them that night. RIP to Milan Williams. People are dying so young. 58 is a young age to me. Charles Smith of Kool & The Gang dies at 57 last week and now Milan is gone. I was listening to The Commodores Heroes album yesterday. That's a good album. By the way, Lionel Richie has a new song out. It sounds alright. I heard him being interviewed on the radio a few weeks ago.

LadyBee · 07-16-2006, 07:07 PM

Another entertainer in 'Soul Heaven'.

R.I.P. Milan.

07-11-2006, 11:24 PM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Milan Williams of The Commodores Dies Milan B. Williams, an original member of the internationally acclaimed band The Commodores, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2006 at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. Milan was born on Easter Sunday in Okolona, Mississippi on March 28, 1948. He was inspired and encouraged by his older brother, Earl, to begin playing piano as a child. His career began in high school when he formed his own 3 piece band in Okolona. His musical desire was further nurtured as keyboard player with a band in Tuskegee, Alabama called The Jays, which was the predecessor to the Grammy Award winning Commodores, of which he was a founding member. Milan wrote the very first hit for the Commodores, “Machine Gun” as well as many others with the band “The Bump”, “Let’s Get Started,” “Brick House,” and “Wonderland,” just to name a few. Milan, with all of his success and stardom, was a very humble and caring man who loved life. He grew up in North Mississippi, attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL where he was an engineering major. He settled in the Los Angeles area and was a member of the Commodores for 20 years. In October of 2000, Milan married his sweetheart of 10 years, Melanie Bruno-Williams, who remained by his side at all times until his death. Their deep and profound love is and always will be an inspiration to all of their family and friends. Since the day he was diagnosed with cancer, he was committed to fight the disease and beat it. He never gave up and his strength and positive attitude throughout all of this showed his determination and true character. Milan often spoke about how very blessed he was that he got to live his dream, making music, and enjoy the hobbies he loved most, flying airplanes and playing golf. Milan leaves behind his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams, two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, brothers Earl Williams (Nettie) of Hilton Head, SC and Lance Williams (Gail) of Atlanta, GA and sister Terry (Dwight Deans) of Decatur, GA, several special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncle and cousins. He leaves behind his mother-in-law Louise Rogalny, father-in law John Rogalny, brother-in law Marty Rogalny and sisters-in-law Dana Rae & Kathrine Clark, all of Los Angeles. He also leaves a large Tuskegee and “Commodores” family and many special friends who have been there throughout his illness. Milan was preceded in death by his parents Earl L.Williams, Sr. and Julia Bowen Williams of Okolona, Mississippi. Walter Orange spoke on behalf of the Commodores, “He was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He’ll always be remembered.” In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to Leukemia Research at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. The funeral will be in Okolona on Friday, July 14, where he will be interred. There will be a memorial service in Los Angeles in August. urbannetwork.com Attached Images

07-12-2006, 12:16 AM	#2
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	We're losing all of these great people!!! That hospital isn't too far away from where I am!
	__________________ ♥♥♥

07-12-2006, 12:31 AM	#3
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	And I just noticed he shares my March 28 birthdate, so you know he was a cool dude! RIP.

07-13-2006, 10:33 AM	#4
hatwink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 19, 2004 Posts: 773	It's sad.My condolences go out to his family.I always felt that the Commodores should've had that reunion, but now it will never happen.

07-15-2006, 02:41 PM	#5
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I wonder if Lionel Richie is gonna go to the funeral. Lionel has acted like he doesn't want anything to do with The Commodores after he left them. I remember Motown had a 50th anniversary special a few years ago and The Commodores performed and Lionel didn't sing with them. I thought that was immature on his part because he hosted the program with Cedric The Entertainer. Lionel sang lead on most of their hits and nobody wants to see The Commodores perform without Lionel so he should've performed with them that night. RIP to Milan Williams. People are dying so young. 58 is a young age to me. Charles Smith of Kool & The Gang dies at 57 last week and now Milan is gone. I was listening to The Commodores Heroes album yesterday. That's a good album. By the way, Lionel Richie has a new song out. It sounds alright. I heard him being interviewed on the radio a few weeks ago.

07-16-2006, 07:07 PM	#6
LadyBee Tenderoni Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2004 Location: Vega$ Posts: 380	Another entertainer in 'Soul Heaven'. R.I.P. Milan.