Lawrence J. Williams, 65, R&B singer

Lawrence J. Williams, 65, of South Philadelphia, a former city employee who had some success as a rhythm-and-blues singer, died last Tuesday of liver cancer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

In 1995, Mr. Williams joined the latest version of the R&B group the Intruders. The group's repertoire included classics recorded by the original members of the Intruders in the 1960s, including the 1968 best-seller "Cowboys to Girls." That song was written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, recorded at Philadelphia International Records, and contributed to the Philly Soul sound, a blend of street-corner doo-wop and gospel influences. Other popular songs the original Intruders recorded in the 1970s included "When We Get Married," "She's a Winner," "I'll Always Love My Mama," and "Slow Drag."

Mr. Williams and the modern Intruders sang them all, in local venues and as far afield as Las Vegas.

Before joining The Intruders, Mr. Williams, a talented tenor known affectionately as Larry "Woo Woo" Williams, had sung with R&B groups the Cordells and the Excels.

Glen Montgomery, a singer with the Intruders since 1980, had known Mr. Williams since childhood. "He never changed. You could always depend on him as a friend and a musician," Montgomery said.

The group performed about twice a month, he said.

Mr. Williams was an amateur boxer in his youth and was a track star at Benjamin Franklin High School. He later attended West Philadelphia High School, where he met Gamble.

Gamble was singing in the schoolyard and needed backup, said Mr. Williams' significant other, Gloria A. Wilson. He had never sung in public, but when he started singing, the girls all made a fuss, Wilson said.

In 1964, Mr. Williams married Kathleen Cross. The couple had a family before divorcing.

Mr. Williams began working for the Philadelphia Department of Sanitation as a young man and stayed there until going on disability in the mid-1990s.

He was loved and respected in South Philly, where he was known for his famous laugh followed by a "hey, hey," Wilson said.

Mr. Williams' favorite song was "Danny Boy," Wilson said. He often sang it at funerals, and it will be sung at his.

Mr. Williams is also survived by his mother, Juanita Chapman; sons Michael, Lawrence Jr., and Charles Bostic; daughters Kianna Burley, Crystal, and Tina; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today at Kent Funeral Home, 6506 Haverford Ave. Friends may call from 9 a.m. Burial is private.