Charles Edward Williston

Charles Edward Williston, deceased April 18, 2020 age 78 years. Only son of Margaret Janet Williston and Edward Murray Williston of Gig Harbor, both deceased. Much missed brother to Susan Paton and brother-in-law to Desmond Paton of Mackay, and Australia. Beloved uncle of Stephanie Schaim, and great uncle to Pele and Rafael Schaim of North Bondi, Australia. The death of Charles was preceded by that of his spouse of 47 years, Fenton Joseph Stewart, in November 2019. There will be no funeral service.

Charles graduated R A Long High School, Longview Washington and received his BA from the University of Washington. He had a long and busy career as a merchant and shop owner of Outback Opal at the Pike Place Market, with many years representing the Pike Place merchants interests as a PDA Council member. He chaired the PDA from 2003 to 2004, but declined further office.

Charlie, to everyone who knew him, loved the outdoors, and spent much of his free time walking his dogs with Joe, particularly at Alki Beach. Charlie also enjoyed travelling in and around Washington and Oregon and overseas. At home he grew a garden full of many varieties of beautiful roses, had played excellent clarinet, and enjoyed attending music concerts. Cal Storey, the music teacher at RA Long for many years, had inspired a Charlie with an appreciation for all musical genres that lasted his entire life. The last concert Charlie attended with friends and family was the Seattle Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert, in 2020, a yearly tradition that never failed to lift his spirits.

Charlie was a quiet person but had a wicked sense of humour that will be missed by all who knew him.

If you wish to mark his passing with a charitable donation, his family request that you contribute to the Seattle Mens Chorus at seattlechoruses.org or the Seattle City Animal Shelter at 2061 15th Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119-2798. We are indebted to the shelter for finding a wonderful home for his dogs when Charles moved to assisted living.