Charles E. Williams

Charles E. Williams passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on June 25, 2026. He was 87 years old.

Charles was born on March 9, 1939 to William “Bill” and Dorothy (née Geise) Williams in Beloit, Wisconsin. An only child for the first 16 years of his life until his brother David arrived, Charles spent his formative years in Beloit surrounded by extended family. He grew up in People’s Church but often accompanied his English grandmother to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Both experiences would form the foundation for his lifelong faith and love of British history, culture, and hymnody.

Charles graduated from Beloit High School in 1957 and attended Beloit College for two years as a day student before transferring to Wheaton College in Illinois where he received a Bachelor’s degree in political science in 1961.

Driven by a love of politics and public service, Charles moved to Washington, D.C. in his early 20s where he worked in communications for the state of New York in Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s Washington office. During the Vietnam war, he also served in the Army Reserves for the National Security Administration as a “listener,” spurring much good-natured speculation about a double life in espionage. He met his wife Leslie (née White) and a cohort of lifelong friends in the young adult group Ambassadors at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland.

After the birth of their first daughter Sarah, Charles and Leslie relocated to Waukesha, Wisconsin to be closer to family. Soon after, their daughter Ann and son John were born. While in the Milwaukee area, Charles worked for many years in nonprofit administration as the Executive Director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Milwaukee (BOMA) and later for Ogden & Co, Inc. Realty. He was an active member of his community, serving on the Salvation Army of Milwaukee Advisory Board and in leadership roles at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha where he was a member for 48 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling internationally with Leslie, debating literature and politics with the colorful denizens of downtown Waukesha’s coffee shops, gathering with friends for regular dinner parties, attending Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concerts as a season ticket holder, and being entertained by his energetic grandchildren.

Charles loved his family, friends, music, British crime dramas, laughing, and a good cocktail. He did The New York Times crossword puzzle in pen and could recite the full line of succession to the British throne. Charles was an honest person and an exceptionally good listener. Though they were at one time loath to admit it, his children now freely acknowledge the lasting value of his excellent advice and thoughtful counsel. Charles is remembered by his beloved wife of 54 years, Leslie, his brother David and his wife Mimi, his children Sarah (Greg Stuart), Ann (Jay McDivitt), and John (Kathleen), six grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends near and far.

Visitation will occur on Friday July 24 from 9:30 AM to 11 AM at Southminster Presbyterian Church at 200 Richard St. in Waukesha. A memorial service will follow at 11 AM. Interment will be held at a later date at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’ name to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin are greatly appreciated