Charles “Charlie” Clayton Williams, 82 of Stilwell, Kansas passed away peacefully at home May 2, 2020. He was born August 29, 1937 at home in Clarinda, Iowa to Charles Orel Williams and Zeta Estella (Clayton) Williams. He attended school in Clarinda and graduated in 1956.
On June 9, 1956 Charlie married Norma Ann Fine at the Methodist Church in Bedford, Iowa. Three children were born, Betty Ann, Brian Charles and Keith James.
In September 1956 Charlie and Norma moved to the Kansas City area. Charlie went to work for Herb Millington Mobil Service Station at 75th and Holmes. In February 1970 they founded Charlie Williams Import Car Center in Westwood, Kansas. Charlie was a professional business man. They retired in 2014.
Charlie was a member of the Kiwanis Club of South Kansas City. He joined the Kansas City Region Sports Car Club in 1964 and was a lifetime member. He won the “Concourse de Elegance” car show three years in a row. He was a corner worker, tech inspector and competed in several gymkhanas.
Charlie was a nationally known race mechanic and engine builder involved in road racing for 40 some years. He built engines for amateur racing, pro series racing and had an engine in the 1995 IMSA Daytona 24 Hour race. He was honored as Mechanic of the Year by Kansas City Region SCCA four times. He was the USAC Engine Builder of the Year in 1991 and his engines were SCCA National champions in 1978 and 1990. Charlie was known for his attention to detail and his friendly attitude toward both clients and competitors.
In 1975 Charlie presented to Lisle Corporation in Clarinda, Iowa a drawing of a spark plug wire puller he designed. With his help Lisle’s made the tool, and in the first ten years they sold over 44,000. Charlie had piston rings and special FF springs made to his unique design by Hastings Manufacturing Company.
Charlie was preceded in death by his father Orel, mother Zeta, brother Ronald Williams and grandson Henry Carson Williams.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norma, daughter Betty (Carl) Ruckman, Lee’s Summit, MO and their children, Anna (Matt) Mosakowski and Natalie Ruckman, son Brian (Jennifer) Williams, Spring Hill, KS and their children, Brittney, Seven, Indigo and Lorenzo Williams, son Keith (Cheryl) Williams, Stilwell, KS and their children Max, Charlie and Isabella Williams, great grandchildren, Osiris, Azazel and Emerald Williams, brother Leroy (Jerri) Alexander of Big Cabin, OK, sister-in-law Betty (David) Wyckoff of Bella Vista, AR and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial gifts can be made to St Luke’s Hospice, Stilwell Methodist Church or charity of your choice. Private family burial in Aubry Cemetery, Stilwell, KS. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.