CHARLIE WILLIAMS

Mr. Charles E. "Handshaking Charlie" Williams, 77, the longtime Adams County Recorder, of 1629 South 57th, died at 3:14 a.m. Wednesday (May 9, 2007) in Blessing Hospital.

Born November 21, 1929 in Quincy, Charlie was the son of Archie Homer and Wilhelmina Pfaffe Williams. He married Donna L. Fischer on October 8, 1966 in Quincy. She survives.

Charlie was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 37, Veteans of Foreign Wars Post 5129, AmVets, Kiwanis Golden K Club, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce where he served as the chairman for the Ambassadors, Twin Oaks Republican Club, Mart Heinen Club, Killen McClain Club, Ducks Unlimited, Mississippi Valley Hunter Association, Fraternal Order of Eagles Club 535, Q.N.D. Athletic Booster Club, Central High School Quarterback Club, Unity High School Quarterback Club, Future Farmers of America Alumni, North Side Businessmen's Club, United Commercial Travelers, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State Historical Society, Camp Point Commercial and Agricultural Association, Western Illinois Dairy Promotion Committee, Kentucky Colonel, A.A.R.P., German Village Society of Quincy, Adams County Bicentennial Executive Commission and served as co-chair of bicentennial events, N.A.A.C.P., Great River Genealogical Society; International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers, National Association of County Recorders and Clerks, National Conference of Republican Officials, and had been leader of the Melrose Champions 4-H Club for over 40 years. He has served on the American Legion Post 37 Executive Board, chef de gar of Adams County for Voiture 225 Veterans, Chairman of the Korean War Memorial, past Treasurer of the Uncle Sams of Good Samaritan Home, Past President of the Adams County Heart Association, past activities chairman of Boy Scouts of America Black Hawk District, rural chairman of the United Way in 1967 & 1969, YWCA Advisory Board, past transportation route chairman for Two Rivers Council of Girl Scouts for covered wagon trip, Wagons-Ho, an organizer of teen contests at the Adams County Fair for over 35 years, and is past president of the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders. Mr. Williams served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War.

A 1949 graduate of Quincy High School, Charlie was employed at Wisconsin Electric and as an investigator for the Secretary of State. In 1968 Charlie was elected as the Adams County Recorder, a position he held for 32 years until his retirement in 2000.

Survivors include his wife Donna; three sons, MAJ..Steve Williams and his wife Nickie of Quincy, Scott Williams and his wife Denise of Fowler and Shawn Williams and his wife Laura of Quincy; six grandchildren, Chandler Williams, Cierra Williams, Charsten Williams, Ashley Williams, Alexis Williams and Olivia Williams; three sisters, Pat Pattara of Chicago Ridge, IL., Rebecca Nelson of Quincy and Betty Pulliam and her husband Jay of St. Charles, MO.; a sister in law, Marie Williams of Quincy; a brother in law, Fred Williams of Mumford, TN.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Virgil, Archie and George Williams; two sisters, Maudine Williams and Mona Lee Williams; and a brother in law, Arthur "Sonny" Nelson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 in St. James Lutheran Church by the Rev. Marlin Rempfer. Burial with Military Honors will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home and Saturday morning from 9:00 until the time of services at St. James Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home Activity Fund or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.