In Tribute: CHS grad remembered for easy-going ways

A sociable sort, Charles “Gus” Williams was often smiling, spun humorous tales and had a hankering for good conversation, family members said.

His brother Ronnie Williams wishes he could have witnessed those traits more often — especially after college.

“I wish to God I would have went back and spent more time with him during those years,” the older brother said.

Charles died Sunday in Tacoma, Wash., of what was probably a heart attack, family members said. He was 44.

Charles’ siblings were in shock when they heard the news that their baby brother died. Ronnie said it took a lot of time for the family to notify his brother’s long list of friends — fitting for a man so at ease with himself and so friendly with everyone he met.

As a young man, Charles showed great promise as an athlete, family and friends said. In seventh grade he was jumping incredible distances, about 20 feet in the long jump, according to Bruce Scroggins, his coach at Gattis Junior High School in the 1970s.

“Anytime he did anything, he competed 100 percent,” Scroggins said.

He continued to excel in athletics at the high-school level, where he played football, basketball and ran track.

“He had character, and he was a good, young gentleman,” Scroggins recalled. “He always had a great big old smile on his face.”

Williams’ love of sports extended well beyond his days at Clovis High, said Elaine Mitchell, one of his older sisters. A self-proclaimed tomboy, she remembers wrestling and cutting up with her brother when they were young.

“Even after he got out of high school, he personified (his love of sports). He helped teach pee-wee league football and basketball,” the Clovis resident said.

Another of Williams’ sisters, Lynn Williams, remembers swimming with Charles at Potter Park during the summers.

“When we were growing up, you know, we’d hang out together, watch movies together,” she said. “He was very family oriented, never a person who was down in the dumps.”

Charles and Ronnie were typical boyhood explorers, his brother said. They would go fishing, climb around in a caliche pit near their house, and wander the rivers near Tucumcari for hours at a time.

Ronnie said during the holidays one year he and his brothers got a hold of some cap guns and a significant cache of caps. They turned off the lights in the house and had a tremendous shootout in the dark.

“We would have so many caps, the house would be full of smoke,” Ronnie said.

Before long their parents would chase them out of the house.

Charles was the youngest of four brothers, and the 10th born among 11 siblings.

Part of what held them together was constant support from their parents.

“We had wonderful parents who were at all our games,” Ronnie said. “We never heard a negative word from them.”

Ronnie recalls their parents saying to them, “Do what your heart tells you to do, and if you follow that, that will make you the man that you will want to be.”

He believes Charles took that lesson to heart, always living his life with care and passion.

In Tribute is a regular feature. To suggest an honoree, contact CNJ News Editor Mike Linn at 763-6991 or by e-mail:

[email protected]