Charles Williams, 1942 – 2000
Charles Williams, Sr., was born April 19, 1942, and died on September 14, 2000, at the age of fifty-eight. His parents were Clifford Lee Williams and Dessie Bell Williams. He received his education in the public schools of Mt. Park, Lawton, and Hobart, Oklahoma; and in Wichita, Kansas. He married Janice Toothman in 1986 in Marshall.
Mr. Williams was the Chief of Police of Marshall, Texas, for over 18 years. Starting his 30+ year career in law enforcement as a patrolman, he eventually served as President of the Texas Police Chief’s Association, co-chair of the Regional Police Information Systems, Chair of the Marshall/Harrison County Airport Board, President of the Marshall Rotary Club, President of the East Texas Police Chief’s Association and in numerous other leadership roles within his profession. (Left, Charles Williams in 1960)
Chief Williams received numerous awards including the Leadership Award from the East Texas Peace Officer’s Association, Distinguished Services Award in recognition and appreciation of “Outstanding Leadership” from the City of Marshall Chamber of Commerce, and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. He was also recognized for initiating a High School Crime Stoppers Program, just the second city in Texas to do so, and establishing the Texas D.A.R.E. program in the Marshall Junior High School. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and the Marshall Rotary Club.
Chief Williams received his education and training at East Texas Baptist University, Southern Methodist University, and the F.B.I. Academy as well as numerous professional training and leadership programs.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Toothman Williams; sons, Charles Winston “Chuck” Williams Jr. of Dallas, Chad Williams of Salt Lake City, Christopher(Jennifer) Williams of Fort Worth, C.J. Boyd of Marshall, Adam (Colleen) Boyd of Yuma AZ, and Vance (Suzannah) Boyd of Dallas; grandchildren Chuck Williams III, Mary Lynn Williams and Seth Williams, all of Ft. Worth, Zachary Boyd and Colleen Boyd of Dallas; three brothers and sisters-in-law.
Services were held in the Marshall Civic Center. Those officiating were Derl Williams, Chaplain Eddie Nichols, the Reverend Carlton Burris and Assistant Chief of Police Keith Fletcher. Interment with full police honors was at Colonial Gardens Cemetery.
