Charles Duane Williams

Charlie was born to Charles Earl and Louise Williams in Pontiac, Michigan on September 26, 1950. He graduated from high school in Galatia, Illinois and then moved to California to attend architecture school, but after 2 years decided to pursue a career in general contracting at the urging of a family member.

Surviving Charlie are his wife, Toni L. Williams, son Charles K. Williams, daughters Kiersten and Charity, and grandchildren Abigail, Hannah, Chase and Francesca. He is also survived by his brother, Trent Pulliam.

Charlie worked in construction for over 40 years. He formed Williams Construction Company in 1989 and built many beautiful custom homes in Laguna Beach and the surrounding Orange County area. He took pride in his craftsmanship, as well as his keen sense of design which was fostered by his love of architecture. In all his buildings he placed a silver dollar under a stair banister or newel post in order to assure good fortune and happiness to the home and its occupants.

Residents of Laguna Beach, and particularly those impacted by the Bluebird Canyon slide of June 2005, will remember Charlie's selfless and tireless efforts of driving his truck over to the slide area, helping people at no cost to retrieve and haul whatever belongings and treasures he could rescue. Charlie made literally hundreds of trips into the slide area and entered houses that were in a state of collapse, just to help friends and neighbors, and at great personal risk to his own safety. On one occasion, Charlie crawled into a collapsing house to retrieve a resident's wedding ring buried in the mud and wreckage.

When Charlie was not building or fixing something, he spent his time pursuing hobbies and activities he loved; hiking, looking for artifacts and antiques, using his natural green thumb for gardening and raising orchids, and spending time at the Marine Mammal Center helping with whatever they needed built. He also volunteered for the Cuddle Program at UCI, sharing compassion with abandoned, dying infants so small they fit in the palms of his hands. But most of all, Charlie loved spending time with his family.

A public memorial service will take place on April 27th at 2 p.m. at Laguna Presbyterian Church, followed by a public celebration of Charlie's life will be conducted at the Hotel Laguna at 4 p.m., where Charlie and Toni were married over 15 years ago. His final resting place is Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar.

Saint Francis of Assisi said, "He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." Charlie Williams was the consummate artist.

The family has asked that donations be made in honor of Charlie to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, (949) 494-3050, www.pacificmmc.org.