Charles Clayton Williams, Sr. was born in Henry County, AL on Dec. 10, 1931. He is survived by his children Charles Williams, Jr. (Roxanna), Cissy Hallisey (Pat), and Larry Williams (Clare). He is also survived by one brother, Mack Williams and one sister, Elsie Williams. He has 9 grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry D. and Juanita Williams, his wife, Sharon Williams, brothers, Oliver, Arthur, Tom, Paul, and sisters, Ruth and Bobbie.
“Chuck” as he was known to most was a remarkable hard-working self-made man. His childhood and teen years were spent as part of a large South AL share-cropping family, working in the fields with peanuts and cotton. There was very little money, and he was only allowed an 8th grade education – after that he was expected to work full time. It was a hard life for him and his 8 brothers and sisters.
At the age of 17 Chuck joined the Navy to escape the poverty and he always said that the Navy opened up the world to him. He was assigned to communications and during his enlisted time he travelled the world. He learned about music, food, cultures and had experiences that he had never dreamed of. Chuck got his GED and went on to teach college level computer courses.
Once his Navy career ended, Chuck was determined to make a good life for himself. He worked for several years on Redstone Arsenal for Burroughs Corporation repairing computers.
He married Sharon McDaniel and started a family. Their three children – Charles, Cissy and Larry – eventually became his motivation for everything he did.
Chuck acquired an old rattle-trap bulldozer to do some work on his property. Quickly his neighbors began asking him to do jobs for them. He enjoyed this work so much more than his computer job that he left Burroughs and upgraded his bulldozer. Williams Contracting was formed and he spent the next 40 or so years building terraces, pushing up trees, digging ponds and whatever other work folks in the area needed.
In the late 1970’s Chuck and Sharon decided to start Greenbrier Tree Farms, a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm. Their first employees were their children. Since Chuck grew up working hard, he expected his kids to do the same. It was year-round work and his children learned to appreciate that hard work leads to success. At one time or another, pretty much everyone they knew helped out on the farm.
Chuck taught his children to appreciate nature – plants, trees, animals, all of it. But his exposure to the intellectual world in the Navy also caused him to push them academically. He might bring home some random lost animals in his lunch box for his children – skunks, possums, snakes – but the same evening check the kids’ school report cards to make sure they weren’t slacking there. His expectations were high and all three of his kids lived up to them.
Chuck loved to travel with his grown children, spend time with his grandchildren, work in his greenhouse, walk in the woods, go to his condo at the beach or his farm in Tennessee. He was even an unknown poet and songwriter!
He was always learning, always striving to better himself and help his loved ones. He touched countless lives through his bulldozer work, Christmas tree farm and other activities he engaged in. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Visitation will be held at McConnell Funeral Home Inc., 1200 E Forrest St, Athens, AL 35613, US, on Monday, July 13, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
A Chapel Service will follow at on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 6:00 pm.
