Charles H Williams Obituary (2021)

Dad liked to say you either have a good time or a good story. Often with Charlie you had both. Charlie was a renaissance man who loved art, literature, and music. He was especially happy being on stage with his harmonica and playing with the Rose Family Band. He loved telling jokes, reading, listening to jazz and outlaw country music and recently began writing his memoirs of his time in the Marine Corps. Char is survived by children: J. Scot Williams (Sylvia), Julia Williams Lucas (Peter), and Jason Hunter Williams; granddaughters: Grace Shomer and Sydney Shomer. The incomparable Laura Lee Rose along with trusted friend Capt. William Gifford. Brother Jack Williams (Darlene), and stepson Jason Harris. He is also survived by honorary grandchildren Riley, Sophie and Miss Clara along with countless friends and fellow rabble-rousers. Born in Jacksonville, Florida in December 1937, Charlie was an Eagle Scout and lifeguard in Jacksonville Beach until he went into the US Marine Corps where he served as a navigator on C-130 transport planes. After the Marines he attended and graduated from Jacksonville University with a B.S. in Economics. His early business career was in information technical systems design, and at the ripe old age of 48 he and his daughter Julia sailed a painfully small sloop from Fairfield, Connecticut to Beaufort where he and his late wife Sandy established a Bed and Breakfast called the Old Point Inn and acquired the Craftseller which was a stylish staple of the local downtown for over 30 years. A retail tradition upheld by his late wife Elaine who was also his first mate as they lived aboard a (less painfully small) sailing vessel for many years. Not one to sit idly by he built and designed a house on Lady's Island, had a construction company, got an MBA, and taught computer science classes at local colleges. He enjoyed sailing and cruising, served as Commodore of the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club, and was a judge during the offshore sailing events at the 1996 Olympics held in Savannah where he broke several ribs during an especially squally afternoon. He also served terms as Chairman of Boards: the Lowcountry Estuarium, Main Street Beaufort, Heritage Community Farms, and State Treasurer of the South Carolina Native Plant Society. If you lived in Beaufort you more than likely knew Charlie. He will be missed as a father, grandfather, friend, elder and mischievous ally. A graveside service is planned on October 12th at 10:00 am at the Beaufort National Cemetery. Charitable donations can be made to: Heritage Community Farms https://www.heritagecommunityfarm.org/ SC Native Plant Society https://scnps.org/