Robin Williams' family wants private memorial, but Westboro protest possible

Robin Williams’ family wants private memorial, but Westboro protest possible

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An iconic Bay Area tunnel, commonly known as the Waldo Tunnel or Rainbow Tunnel, will be named after the late actor Robin Williams.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams performs at the Universal Amphitheater on July 1, 1979 (Tony Barnard / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams stars as Popeye the sailor man, whose secret source of strength turns out to be spinach, with Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl, in 1980’s “Popeye.” (File / AFP/Getty Images)

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Robin Williams performs at the Universal Amphitheater on Aug. 16, 1982. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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In 1984’s “Moscow on the Hudson,” Robin Williams plays Vladimir Ivanoff, a saxophonist in the Moscow circus who defects to the U.S. Here, Williams is pictured with actor Cleavant Derricks and director Paul Mazursky. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

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Robin Williams in San Francisco in 1991. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams speaks to the media backstage after his performance at the Sam Kinison tribute held at the Celebrity Theatre in Anaheim, Sept. 3, 1992. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

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In 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard, an irresponsible father who creates an alter-ego in the form of a nanny in order to spend time with his children. (Phil Bray / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams plays Alan Parrish, a man who was trapped in a board game for 26 years in 1995’s “Jumanji.” He costarred with Bonnie Hunt. (Rob McEwan / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin William plays Armand Goldman, owner of a South Beach drag club who must hide his same-sex relationship with Albert (Nathan Lane) from their son’s future in-laws in the 1996 film “The Birdcage.” (Lorey Sebastian / Los Angeles Times)

By Los Angeles Times staff

Aug. 17, 2014 11:03 AM PT

The memorial service for Robin Williams is expected to be a small, private affair. But that hasn’t stopped members of the Westboro Baptist Church from suggesting that they might picket the event.

Bay Area media organizations have said the actor’s family plans a intimate memorial for the actor. MTV reported there might also be a comedy benefit concert for charity sometime later in Marin County.

Westboro, a Kansas-based group know for hate-filled protests sometimes targeting gays and their supporters, has mentioned the idea of a protest on Twitter several times in recent days. But some who track the group note it often threatens protests that never materialize.

There has been an outpouring of support for Williams and his family since his death last week.

Williams was found dead by his personal assistant last Monday inside his Tiburon, Calif., home. Authorities said it appeared the cause of death was “asphyxia due to hanging,” although toxicology reports for a final report will take weeks.

On Thursday, his wife, Susan Schneider, said in a statement that Williams’ sobriety was intact as “he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly.”

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin also posted in a message on his Facebook page Tuesday, sharing his personal struggle with depression and referring to Williams as “a friend and fellow sufferer.”

“The torment of depression and the complications of addiction that accompany it affect millions, including myself and family members before me — my grandfather committed suicide before I was born and my mother the year before I went to the moon — along with hundreds of veterans who come to a similar fate each year,” Aldrin wrote. “As individuals and as a nation we need to be compassionate and supportive of all who suffer and give them the resources to face life.”

Robin Williams’ family wants private memorial, but Westboro protest possible

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