Charles "Charlie" Joseph Williams

Charles Joseph Williams, 74 left this earthly realm, August 26, 2021, passing to his heavenly home peacefully, fighting a brave battle with an aggressive cancer. Charlie was born in Grants Pass, OR to Walter and Louise Williams on December 4, 1946. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan, Sons, Joey & Lena Jones, Andrew Williams, and Chad & Alisa Williams, and four Grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Walter, Louise and his half brother Claude Williams. Charlie attended schools in Grants Pass OR setting a middle school long jump record that still stands to this day. He was a gifted athlete, four-sport letterman at Grants Pass High School, lettering in Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track & Field. His favorite memory from high school was being a part of the 1964 State Champion Football team. He spent his summers guiding on the Rogue River in a drift boat he made himself. He attended Treasure Valley Junior College on a scholarship playing football and was a transfer scholarship player at Portland State University. He was drafted during Vietnam conflict and was unable to serve as he was 4F due to a hole in his eardrum. After college he ran an Exxon gas station in Milwaukie OR, He set up a rationing system for his clients during the 70’s gas crisis. He also owned and operated a mobile car doctor repair service before moving to Molalla. He was a mechanic for Holman and Williams Ford dealership, became a car salesman for them and finished his car selling career at Bill Hoffman Chevrolet. In, 1979, Charlie and Susan opened The Hot Iron Beauty Salon Screen Printing, beginning 42 years of business in Molalla. The sporting goods team business branched out to locations in Canby, Lake Oswego, and Tigard, over the years, finally returning to the original Molalla location. He remained committed to all the clients he has served over the years, most he considered friends and family. Charlie and Susan never truly retired as they spent their retirement years following their sons during their high school sports careers, taking time to coach, attend their contests and games, best decision they made. No Regrets. Charlie was a member of the Molalla Planning Commission, City Council and served on the Clackamas County Juvenile Task force. He played on the Wise Auto Supply softball team, winning the state recreation title the day before Chad was born, in 1983. It is easier to say what he has not served on in the community, He has not been Mayor or President of Chamber. Charlie has a wall full of plaques and honors garnered over the years. Each plaque marked a milestone in his life, State FBLA Businessmen of the Year, OSAA Volunteer of the Year, Several Years of Kiwanian of the Year, Club President, Kiwanis Lt. Governor, Chamber Businessperson of the year, and Molalla Citizen of the Year. The most special was the Blister Feet award they received from Molalla Police Dept., Chief, for service to the Youth of Molalla. He was a member of the Molalla Church of the Nazarene and most enjoyed the men’s ministry program, He also through Kiwanis, organized several years of the Community Prayer Breakfasts. He always believed church was not in a building or denomination but within everyone, Christ in You! He loved being a part of the community there was nothing he would not attempt if it helped businesses or kids, which started a long list of accomplishments. The organization of Molalla Youth Sports started in our basement as Molalla Youth Soccer, we had 32 kids that first year by parents who all wanted more choices for their kids. It later changed to Molalla Youth Services and is now Molalla Youth Sports serving the youngsters in our community. Over the years he served as a coach for soccer, baseball, basketball, referee, and president for the organization. He was MHS Freshman soccer coach, referee for high school soccer games, volunteer Pole Vault coach, and a volunteer special team’s coach for MHS football team. His greatest accomplishment was coaching the All State First Team Kicker of the Year, Chris Bentley. Actually, It was molding each player into fine young men and teaching them to give 110% in everything they do in life, several players still keep in touch. He was a member of Molalla Area Chamber of Commerce and off shoot MABA, Molalla Businesses specific activities. He was co-chairman of the Molalla Junior Miss Scholarship program with Susan. They judged several state programs over the years and were selected the States Program of the year in the mid 80’s. He was a member of the Molalla Buckeroo Association eventually taking on organizing the Giant Street Parade for years. This July was the first time we had to tell someone in Molalla we could not do something. Chamber requested help casing the 4th of July parade and we had to pass as he did not know if he would have the energy to help with the parade, just weeks before he passed and did not want to be unable to do what he had committed to help with. He was a faithful member of the Molalla Kiwanis Club for 43 years. He served many roles in the local club, coordinating many club activities from Ray Ferlan Fishing Derby, Easter Egg Hunt, Kiddies Parade and Santa Visits, serving day cares, nursing home, businesses, and Christmas Eve visits with club members, Bringing gifts and joy to many families. PS He loved the cookies and milk. He served on the club board, president several times, and was Lt. Governor for 2 years at the district level. He was a member of the Kiwanis Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Program Board, earning money for research fellows , researching for a cure for childhood cancer. He was the 2019 Kiwanis of the Year for the KDCCP Board. He was the Charter representative for the Cub Scout Pack 257 for 40 years, serving various roles in the scouting organization. They are lifetime members of the Molalla VFW Auxiliary and Molalla Historical Society He was an avid hunter, loved fishing, Indian history, and all sizes, makes, & models of trains. Faith-Family-Football were most important, and not always in that order. His cancer journey was filled with faith and joy. He never doubted his role in his cancer treatments. Learn as much as you can, he told his doctor, God did not say it was going to be easy but totally worthwhile. He witnessed to the Nurses and Doctors and always blessed and thanked them for their skills in caring for him. He was faithful to his beliefs knowing he would see Jesus soon; the Holy Spirit placed a white aura in his room to assure him of God’s presence during his wakeful times. He was giving until the end of his life, Praying and blessing those lucky enough to visit him at home. He was tired and worn out but did not want to die at OHSU. He got his wish passing away at home. A life well lived, well loved! He will be truly missed. I know we may have missed may things, we hope you will share with each other your experience with Charlie & Susan, a continuance of one another. Charlie was very active in and loved the Molalla community. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at Heckard Field Football Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 19th, 2 pm. We will have a faith-based tailgate party in his honor. We hope you will plan on attending to honor a life well lived. Please check, www.caringbridge.org/charliewilliams27 for updates and donation information. Thank you everyone for your outpouring of love, blessings, and prayers.

Donations to help medical expenses for Charlie can be made to go fund me account. Charlie Williams by Laura Hodak, VENMO account, @Susan-Charlie-27., Susan and Family thank everyone for their support.