Charles Williams

Obituary On September 18, 1938, Charles Williams was born to Daisy Bell and Roosevelt Williams in Walterboro, South Carolina. He was raised in Ocala, Florida by his uncle Samuel Williams and attended Howard High School there. Colonel Williams went on to attend Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida where he played football under the late great Jake Gaither, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Retired Colonel Charles Williams joined the United States Army in 1961 and served his country well for over 30 years in various capacities including Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller, Director of Resource Management, Chief Management Service Division, Financial Management, Human Resources, Management Analysis and Administration, and Research. He is a decorated Veteran of the Vietnam War. His honors received include the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. His retirement from the military came in 1992, but his works did not end there. Charles chose to continue his life of service and accepted the role of Executive Director at Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) in Baltimore, MD in 1994. Under his leadership the organization flourished from a grassroots organization serving 20 homeless veterans to a full continuum care with wrap-around services for more than 250 male and female veterans. His dedication and tireless efforts did not go unnoticed. Charles received notable recognition during his tenure at MCVET such as the dedication of a street named “Colonel Charles Williams Way” in Baltimore, MD and the recognition of October 7, 2012 as Colonel Charles Williams Day in Baltimore, MD. Despite the career success and accolades, Charles’ greatest sense of pride and accomplishment was in his family. They were his greatest joy and he spent much of his time in activity with them. He married his wife, Ocie in 1962. They have three children and seven grandchildren. He was an excellent patriarch and provider to his family, and managed to put his grandchildren in addition to all of his children through college. He was very active spiritually as a member of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He additionally enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling, and watching sports. On April 23, 2015, Retired Colonel Charles Williams passed away at his residence in Springfield, VA surrounded by his doting family. Devoted husband of Ocie Fuller Williams; father of Sheila Williams of Springfield, VA, Sharon (Frantz) Pago of Springfield, VA, Charles (Avis) Williams of West Chester, PA; grandfather of Shiedha Williams, Kiara Williams, Scott Williams, Andrea Williams, Jazmin Williams, Chucky Williams and Taj Williams. Charles is survived by brothers Jimmie Lee Williams, Samuel Williams, Willie James Williams, Harry Williams; and sisters Dosihan Williams-Smith, Sineal Thomas, Elizabeth Raiford and uncle to a host of well-loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Annie Pearl Daniels, Furman Lee, Allen Williams, Jacob Mitchell, and Delores Hand. Retired Colonel Charles Williams will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on through the very many lives he has touched. In lieu of flowers, we are requesting donations in my father's name to MCVET 301 North High Street Baltimore, MD. 21202 (410) 576-9626