I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Charles was born to Joseph and Ollie Mae Williams in Beaumont, Texas on July 2, 1950.

He spent his early years on a farm in Morrow, Louisiana with his maternal grandparents Fredrick and Rosetta Barzar. He was reared in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ at an early age at Plymouth Rock Baptist Church in Morrow. At the age of twelve, he moved to Beaumont where he lived with his mother, step-father and siblings. He received formal education from the Morrow and Beaumont public school systems.

After graduating from Hebert High School in 1968, Charles moved to Houston, Texas

where he worked at Sakowitz and Peden Oil Company before becoming a Bus Operator with Houston Metro Systems.

Charles married the love of his life, Carolyn Williams. The two spent their time developing their careers and building a life together until their divorce.

Charles was passionate about music, especially playing the piano. He worked in the music ministry until his health failed. As a teenager, he sang in a special male chorus quartet at Sunlight Baptist Church in Beaumont and his group had a featured spot on the local radio station (KJET). After taking music classes at the University of Houston, Charles served as a musician and pianist at a number of churches throughout southeast Texas. He gravitated towards churches in small rural communities. Charles loved the old gospel songs and hymns. His musical services were often remunerated with a dozen eggs, a 'mess' of greens, cake, etc. Charles often organized musicals for his church and the community.  Charles' musical talent brought him to St. Luke AME church in Houston, Texas, Rev. Jeremy Johnson is the pastor.  He was their musician for a period of time and also became a faithful member of the church.

Charles had an outgoing personality and drew people to him from all walks of life. He

never met a stranger. He was not impressed by a person's title or social class but with their inner being. He was always surrounded by people who enjoyed engaging him in lively chats. Charles was a free-willed person who lived life on his own terms. He was never overwhelmed by life's many trials and tribulations but saw every day as a blessing from God.

Charles loved animals. It was not unusual to see a big loggerhead turtle walking in his house, or see exotic chickens, or a large lizard in his bathtub, or an ostrich in his backyard. He loved all animals and often donated his animals to the local zoo.

Charles was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Williams; his mother, Ollie Barzar Williams Small, and stepfather, Adam Small. He leaves to cherish his memories sisters: Jacquelyn Doyle of Beaumont, Texas, Valeria Hope (Larry) of League City, Texas and Malvina Lai (Michael) of San Jose, California, nieces: Sheira Hope, Shelly Doyle Ford (Marlin), Rosalynn Doyle, Roxanne Doyle, Victoria Lai (Timi Okah), and Madeline Lai, nephews: Harold J. Doyle III, Larry Jr. (Kelly), Robert Adam Hope, Stephen Doyle (Agnes), Jonathan Lai, and Daniel Lai, great-nieces: Desirae Doyle, Alexis Ford, Kyndal Ford, Ella Hope, and Vivienne Grace Okah, great-nephews:  Elijah Simien, Charles Paul Doyle, Harold J. Doyle IV, Christian Oluwakayode Doyle, and Malcolm Paul Hope, and a host of other relatives and friends.