Charles M. Williams
Charles Maxwell Williams, DDS, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2021, after an earthly journey of 93 years, 7 months, and 10 days at his home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with his beloved family by his side.
Charles was born September 26, 1927, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Charles Maxwell and Anne Starr Williams. His family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was an outstanding student, graduated early from Central High School and attended the University of Nebraska – Omaha.
Influenced by his aviator brother, John Starr Williams, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18. Upon completion of basic training, it appeared he was destined for postwar support in Italy. However, his superiors recognized his determination and supreme gifts in histology, which garnered a hand selection as a Medical Laboratory Technician at the 90 Church Street Federal Building in New York City for the duration of his military service.
Charles returned to Omaha to continue his education and worked as a biology teacher at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. At a magical and auspicious party in 1955, he met a charming and beautiful dental hygienist named Emily Magdalene Wahlquist. They married on February 11, 1956. Emily inspired him to enter the dental field, and he graduated with a DDS from Creighton University in 1961. They moved their growing family to Prairie du Sac and then Brandon, Wisconsin. Dr. Charles Williams maintained a small private practice in Brandon and also gained employment at Winnebago Mental Health and subsequently Central State Hospital (Dodge Correctional Institution) in Waupun, retiring on December 31, 1993.
After their children were grown, Charlie and Emily moved to Fond du Lac where they enjoyed many happy years in retirement. He and Emily loved to travel and especially enjoyed Holland America cruises. Some of their favorite travels included Denmark, Norway, and Spain. At home they were happiest putzing around their large corner lot and relaxing in lawn chairs with giant cups of coffee in hand, enjoying the fruits of their labor. In particular, the magnitude of their cosmos trumpeted Charles’ loyalty to the Miracle-Gro company!
Charles enjoyed being a student and promoted the importance of education. He adored philosophy, poetry, art, and loved everything science and nature. He joyously shared this love of learning by walking with his “troops” on the railroad tracks, along the creek bed, and down to the river. His student offspring were awestruck when he stunned bumblebees in order to examine the fine anatomic details, expounded on the life cycle of the frog, or amazingly recalled math formulas and laws of chemistry and physics. His use of Aleene’s Tacky Glue was prodigious, the budget for masking tape was through the roof, and his scissors collection was second to none!
Charles is survived and will be missed by his loving wife, Emily, of 65 years. He is further survived and was much loved by his eight children and their spouses: Anne and Jim Rhode, John and Brenda Williams, Michele Williams and Mark Wendt, Claire and Jeff Tadman, Charles and Kris Williams, Khristin Williams-Casper and Nick Casper, Andrew and Dana Williams, and Christopher and Stacy Williams.
“Grampapa Charles” was blessed beyond measure with grandchildren and great grandchildren: Erick and Sara (Kyle-deceased, Nyzaiah, Corissa, Kenajay, Kyan) Rhode; Jamie Williams; Aimee and Chris (Aaron) Burkhardt; Anthony Tadman; Michael and Mallory Williams; Melissa Tadman (Noah and Alayna Brehmer); Charles Williams and Daisy Freward (Vivian and Benjamin) Williams; Laurie and Myles (Gabriel Palacios, Merrick) Quine; Benjamin Williams; Nathan and Kristyn (Asher, Arlyn) Rhode; Michaela and Chad (Natalee, Noella, Nora) Wyss; Christian Casper; Zach and Payton Borens, Quinn Williams; John Williams; Isaac and Evan Williams; Emily Williams, Max and Sam Landsverk. Charles is further survived by sisters-in-law, Barbara Williams, Joyce Wahlquist Cremeans, and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Lakeview Place and St. Agnes Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Charlie. He was challenged with many medical issues in his elder years and yet chose to live with humble gratitude for “another beautiful day the Lord has given us.” May we all live with such amazing grace!
A private family celebration of Charles’ life will be held on Sunday, May 9 at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division Street in Fond du Lac.
Please consider honoring Charlie’s memory and love of nature by planting a tree, listening to Pipedreams, creating unique art with tape and a recycled cereal box, and reading John Donne poetry.
Online condolences may be shared at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com