Dr. Charles Williams

BURLINGTON - Dr. Charles Williams, 78, of Burlington, died Monday, May 24, 2010 at his home.
A native of Halifax County, North Carolina, Dr. Williams was born on July 1, 1931 to Rosa A. Williams and Carey A. Williams, who predeceased him. He grew up in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Dr. Williams is survived by his wife, Nancy Lavender Irwin Williams, of the home; his two daughters, Nancy Anne Williams of Elon and Bryan Pennington of Burlington, and Mary Katherine Williams and Marc Dreyfors of Durham; and his two sisters, Elise Willams Blackwell and her husband, Bill, of Gibsonville and Ellen Williams White of Winston-Salem; many nieces and nephews
Dr. Williams received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, Davidson, N.C. and his Master of Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. While a student at Davidson College, he served as Moderator of the N.C. Synod of Presbyterian Church (USA) youth group and also as Moderator of the General Assembly for youth groups of Presbyterian Church (USA).
He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from King College, Bristol, Tennessee and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Elon College (University).
Dr. Williams served pastorates at Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church and Baker Memorial Church in Mt. Olive, North Carolina; Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina, where he served as the organizing pastor; First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tennessee and came to Burlington in 1980 as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff of the First Presbyterian Church.
He served on the board of the William Black Home in Montreat, North Carolina, President of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association at Union Theological Seminary and Board of Trustees at Union Theological Seminary and Davidson College and Barium Springs Home for Children, Barium Springs, North Carolina.
Dr. Williams believed strongly in volunteer work, in giving something back to a community in which you live, and earning your living. He, with other members of the Downtown Ministers Association, envisioned and started Allied Churches Food Kitchen and Shelter, Alamance Cares and Habitat for Humanity.
Dr. Williams played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement in Durham in the 1960's, believing all of God's Children are created equal. He also believed women had a right to be ordained in ministry. He had the first woman pastor on his staff to serve in a downtown church here in Burlington. He also had a woman pastor on staff at First Presbyterian Church in Bristol.
He became active in the Burlington community and served for many years as Chaplain of the United Way. He was on the Board of the Burlington Chapter of the Red Cross, Allied Churches, Alamance Human Relations Committee, Downtown Ministers' Association, CROP Walk, Alamance Cares and Presbyterian Local Ministries. Dr. Williams also helped in organizing the Local Habitat for Humanity ministry.
He and Mrs. Williams were honored by the First Presbyterian Church by naming a Habitat for Humanity Home for them and creating an ongoing Habitat Fund in their names at the First Presbyterian Church. At his retirement the Chapel at the church was named the Charles Williams Chapel.
Dr. Williams served on several committees of the newly-formed Salem Presbytery. Locally he participated in the ARMC Chaplain's program, Lenten services in downtown churches, an ecumenical outdoor Palm Sunday service with the Blessed Sacrament congregation, Boy Scout Troop 17 Eagle Award ceremonies and graduation services at area high schools. He extended an invitation to Hospice of Alamance for office space when the agency began their service in this county. The local Meals on Wheels program was also housed at the church while Dr. Williams served as pastor.
While serving with the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, he worked with the Capital Projects Committee in the late 80's to enlarge parking, renovate office space, Calvin Hall, the Sanctuary, the John Knox Room, the Library and the children's area. A sacristy was created as well as two elevators and a new entrance and office space. He loved teaching children and developed the "Children in Worship Too," which included weekly worship services and a weekday playschool.
Services will be held Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 11 a.m. at The First Presbyterian Church in Burlington. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Ronald Shive, the Rev. Dr. John LaMotte, the Rev. Dr. Jim Sirbaugh, the Rev. Dr. Ben Williams, the Rev. Dr. Richard Styles and Rev. John Johnson.
The family will receive friends at Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington, Wednesday, from 5:30 until 7:30. The family wishes to thank Dr. Williams' personal caregivers and Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance/Caswell for their care and support.
Memorials may be made to Union Theological Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, Virginia 23227, the Charles and Nancy Williams Habitat Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 508 W. Davis Street, Burlington, N.C. 27215 or to the United Way of Alamance County, 803 Hermitage Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215.
The online guest book may be signed at www.richandthompson.com.