Michael Freeman Williams Bliss

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Feb 6th, 2016

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Death Date: Feb 6, 2016

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Biography: Michael Freeman Williams Bliss was born in Little Rock, AR, May 16, 1957, and died unexpectedly on February 6, 2016. He was the son of Carl Warren Williams, Sr. and Elsie Faye (Weaver) Mears-Bailey. He was the adored dad to one much beloved son, Nash Freeman Bliss. Michael worked his entire career to serve others. After graduating from Hall High School in Little Rock where he was a member of the cross country track team, he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and received his baccalaureate in psychology and American Sign Language from UA Little Rock. He earned an M.A. in Special Education: Orientation & Mobility from California State University in Los Angeles and completed course work in the doctoral program for Special Education at Vanderbilt University. He was the founder of Bliss Enterprises which specializes in speech recognition training, and he wrote Speech Recognition for the Health Professions (Prentice Hall, 2004). Working as a house parent at the Arkansas School for the Blind led him to become an Orientation and Mobility Specialist serving students in Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, and California. For the past decade he worked for the California Department of Blind Rehabilitation and for the Santa Clara County Office of Education. He had a deep commitment to student success and was an ASTM developer as well as a primary developer for the nation?s first speech recognition college course. Michael is survived by his son, Nash, of Valley Springs, CA; his mother; stepfather, Richard Robert Bailey; brother, Carl W. Williams (Susan); sister, Leslie Karen Golden (Gary); two step-brothers, Cliff Mears and Ric Bailey (Lori); and two special cousins, Kelley Weaver and Kathy Weaver. He was pre-deceased by his father, step-father, Roger C. Mears, and step-sister, Vicki Mears Strickland. He was a favorite uncle to Blake Strickland, Sara Williams Freitag (Jeff), John Foster (Jill), Susanna Young (Brian), Clifton Mears (Yana Buklikova), Shanna Van Houten (Stuart), Adam Golden and Ryan Golden, as well as a host of great-nieces and nephews. Michael embraced traveling, photography, guitar, outdoor adventure, and more than anything, exploring the world with his son, Nash. Michael never shied away from work, never met a stranger, and he lived life with such passion that he legally changed his surname to Bliss. He is loved, and he loved deeply. Michael?s body gave up long before the memories held so dearly by his family and many friends. A memorial service for Michael will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham, Little Rock, AR, on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at 12 Noon. A reception will follow. Memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church (4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72205) or to Wildwood Park for the Arts (20919 Denny Road, Little Rock, AR, 72223). Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhomre.com

Condolences(19)

Melanie rangel

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mr.bliss was a really great teacher I moved schools and he was the first person I learned to trust I am visually impaired and I never trusted anyone to guide me and me and Michael had a trust to where I let him guide me around always empowering me to do the best in life and saying everything he had planned he would always talk about his loving son I really hope his son turns into a great person just like his father was I miss u mr.bliss thanks for knowing I was able to be guided by someone who gained my trust

Sally Jo Sager

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am very saddened to hear of the loss of Michael. As fellow O&M'ers, we met years ago, through our dear mutual friend, Judy. Though at the time we lived in opposite parts of the country, we developed and maintained a wonderful long distance friendship. Among many reasons, I respected Michael for his passion for his work , his music and his love for people. What an inspiration he was to all who were blessed to know him.
My heart goes out to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

Pat Davis

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I just read of Michael's death in the CAOMS newsletter. I'm shocked. I worked with Michael in Lodi Unified for 2 years, before he went to Santa Clara. He was looking forward to being a father. I'm happy to hear of his relationship with his son. He was vibrant and loved life and people. I enjoyed talking and strategizing with him over our mutual students. Although we lost touch after I retired, I'm happy to read of his full life and love of family and friends. My deepest condolences to them and especially to Nash. Definitely gone too soon. Ms. Pat Davis, TVI/COMS.

Melanie Calabrese

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Michael. I had the pleasure of working with him at the SCCOE the last 5 years. Michael was an expert in his field. He was able to foster skills in my student who had a visual impairment and a ventilator. As soon as the student met Michael, they worked hard together every week! Michael gave this student his voice, his freedom to write his thoughts.
Michael was such a kind man. He talked about his son and would just "light up" when he would mention things he would do on the weekends with Nash.
Bliss... I never knew he changed his last name. Boy, it sure was fitting for him.
We sure did loose him too soon. Please know that he will not be forgotten. May he RIP.

Whitney Blake

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Just learned by Internet and still can not believe that such a healthy, energetic, full of love friend is gone. We met over 20 years ago and have been on pool teams, golf teams, outrageous projects, and held each other's hands thru difficult times. I never met anyone more full of life and positive energy. He was truly the best friend anyone could ever have. He was my brother that I never had. After being with him and Nash, I told him over and over that he was the best father in the world. His love for Nash poured from his body. He will truly be missed by many but will never be out of our hearts. Those of us who knew him are truly blessed. Rest in peace my friend, my brother.

Richard Houston

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

It was like a thunderbolt struck me when I heard of Michaels passing because him and I had seen each other a few times recently and had corresponded quite a lot also - mostly about his son Nash. I had the pleasure of meeting Nash in late December and the adoration father and son had for each other was clear. As others have mentioned, Michael was the glue that held many people together and for that, as well as many other reasons, he will be missed terribly. My deepest condolences go out to his family and especially to his son Nash. Rest in Peace my friend.

Jaafar Al-Azzawi

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Michael was an extraordinary man. There are many in the community who will deeply mourn his passing as his life was a life of service, love, compassion, and excellence. My family can never forget his kindness in treating our son Yousuf when he was in Little Rock. we would like to tell Nash that when we lose a loved one here on Earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. May you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now. We extend our most sincere condolences to Michael's family.

Al-Azzawi Family

Carmen Zarate

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our thoughts and prayers for Mike's family.... May he rest in peace!

MARY FELL JENKINS

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

i loved Michael's smile and twinkle in his eyes.

He never met a stranger. A friend to all.

So many happy memories. Thoughts of Mike always

bring a smile.Always in my heart.
mary fell jenkins

Charles Nance

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

For me, the phrase, "from adversity comes strength" describes Michael best. His choice of the last name Bliss, exemplifies this. His outstanding career, exemplifies this. His participation in our cross country activities and championships exemplify this. All who knew him now will miss him. The adversity of a sudden, premature death, will hopefully lead each of us to greater strength in our own lives, and Mike's example of a life "fully lived" exemplifies both strength and something to strive for. Go with God my friend, for He will lift you up as on the wings of an eagle.

Katie Kraft

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mike will be sorely missed by room N-6 at Silver Creek High School. He came twice a week to see two of our students, but was a friend to all of my students and staff. He always talked so fondly about his son, and our thoughts are with his whole family.

Jenny Holmes

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Michael's nephew, Ryan Golden, is currently in my class (I also taught Adam). I was sadden this week when Ryan told me about his uncle. Ryan told me how much he loved Michael and how he was going to miss him. He sounds like a wonderful educator, friend, and well-rounded man! I know he will be missed...I know he blessed many lives.

Judy Koch Smith

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Michael was/is a bright light to all who really knew him. We shared musical talent during Grad school in So-Cal, and warm laughter with friends Marie, Denea, Kay, Amie, Bob, Frank, Maurice and Kent. He drove cross country to move little Vincent and me to our new home, sharing the 2,000 mile journey from Ohio -- a true friend! His lovely Arkansas family hosted us for Thanksgiving in 1989, thank you all for your kindness. Rock on little brother with your heavenly guitar music!

Dale Thomas Leslie

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

There is little more that needs to be said other than Michael was a truly wonderful man. His family and old friends know this. Here is offered another aspect of Michael?s exemplary life and a perspective of the work that he has done, is doing and will continue to do for decades. This suggestion of the continuity of his work may seem odd to some, but those who knew of his gifts will understand. He was a marvelous teacher and parent. His son, students and the professionals that he directly trained or influenced will benefit their whole lives from his work. In this way, he lives on in them, always helping them and giving them confidence, abilities, skills, music and fun. His manner with everyone was of care, concern and interest. Michael?s students were of paramount importance to him. A couple of examples, from hundreds, should suffice. Blind students have difficulty navigating and predicting their environment. To help with this, Michael created maps of the environment that his blind students would have to traverse. How do you make a map for someone who is blind? He built maps out of boards, adding various types of materials that could adhere to the surface so his students could feel the map. This way hallways, buildings, walls, shrubbery, curbs, brickwork, fences, doors, streets, stoplights, etc. were ?visualized? by feeling with fingers. This was not the only creative direction he took. Gifted with music, the universal language, Michael taught some of his students to remember the routes they took by reciting the directions in song. Very effective. Very original. Michael and I have worked together for a long time with a certain student, who is blind and has developmental disabilities, who now plays the piano with proficiency and sings beautifully. He has recently performed on stage in assemblies and graduations. This young man is very happy and so are his parents. So is Michael.

Joni Jackson Langevoort

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I have so very many happy memories of my friendship with Mike, going back to Forest Heights Junior High and our years as neighbors (and troublemakers) at the Summit House. It was such a treat to reconnect with him in years via Facebook, and to see (virtually!) the love he had for sweet Nash. I am so sorry I won't be with you all n Little Rock for his service, and send my love and prayers to all of the loved ones he leaves behind.

Stephanie Pedone

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I was so sorry to get this sad sad news. I've worked with Michael for 3 years and he was a wonderfual educator and a wonderful person. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially his son.

Kim Kaeding

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Micheal's work and friendship with children and young adults always focused on their strengths. He used his wisdom to help his student's and other teachers. He took his work seriously and approached it with a bright energy.... I am so sorry for your loss.

Jim McGee

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mike and I have been friends since grade school, where we were classmates and began our track "careers" together. My father, J.D. McGee, was our first coach. Mike stopped by to see my father just a month ago at Parkway Village in Little Rock. He thanked my father for being a good coach and role model, and the two of them called me so I could be a part of the surprise visit. I share this story because it speaks to the kind of person that Mike was, and to say how thankful I am that we reconnected so recently. Mike sent me many photos of he and Nash over the last month, and sent me a text as recently as last Thursday. What a shock to learn of his passing!
I am so sorry for the family, and especially for Nash. My prayers are with you all.
Jim McGee

Leigh Lessenberry McCann

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear, sweet Michael was certainly the "heart" of his CROX friends. He kept them connected and was certain that if anyone was in need, he/she would not go without. If you wanted to know about anyone in the group, you knew that Michael would know the answer. We all benefited from his concern, friendship, and love. I'm so happy that Michael got to experience Nash and Nash got to experience Michael. I'm so profoundly sadden that neither had the time together that they deserved. I'm so grateful that Michael was a part of my life and will miss him every day.

Michael Freeman Williams Bliss

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