A local friend of late actor Treat Williams remembered him following his tragic death.
In an exclusive interview with People, Matt Rapphahn, owner of the Long Trail Auto Shop in East Dorset, Vermont, described Williams as a “really, really nice guy.”
“He was just another townie around here,” Rapphahn explained. “He wasn’t Mr. Hollywood.”
Williams and Rapphahn met four years ago when he restored one of Williams’ Harvey-Davidson motorcycles, according to People.
He recalled Williams stopping by the shop where they “actively” made plans to work on the vintage cars he had.
“We would just run into him in town and shoot the sh-t with him, talk about movies and music and cars and motorcycles and trucks. Just every time we would talk, he was just always funny and just good-natured and asked you how you’re doing with genuine interest in the people that he was talking to,” he explained.
Treat Williams 'Wasn't Mr. Hollywood' in Vermont: 'He Was Just Another Townie,' Says Local Friend (Exclusive) https://t.co/fVYN5MBiTO
— People (@people) June 15, 2023
Williams died on Monday following a motorcycle accident. He was 71 years old.
According to a statement from the Vermont State Police, shortly before 5 p.m., a Honda SUV was turning left into a parking lot when it crashed into Williams’ motorcycle in Dorset, as reported by the Associated Press.
“Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead,” according to the statement via the AP.
Following his passing, Williams’ family released a statement, via ABC News.
“As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft,” they shared.
His family added, “Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him.”