Charles Burton Williams, 70, of Wallaceton died Friday at the Clearfield Hospital. He had been a resident of Windy Hill Village since May.
Mr. Williams was born Sept. 21, 1942 to Raymond Paul and Mabel Jane (Fuge) Williams. He lived in Wallaceton his entire life.
Although Mr. Williams was born with cerebral palsy and acquired diabetes when he was a child, he lived an inspirational and productive life. His positive outlook, sense of humor and tendency to play pranks were enjoyed by all who knew him.
Some years ago, he wrote in an essay that he was “thankful for my family, my friends and my wonderful mother. Because of them, I was able to live a normal life.”
He attended the Pittsburgh Public School’s Home for Crippled Children School until eighth grade. He and his mother both earned high school diplomas together in 1977. He attended Fresno City Junior College for several semesters to learn accounting skills. He also enrolled in bookkeeping classes at the Clearfield County Vo-Tech School and tax preparation classes at H&R Block to acquire the accounting skills he needed to open his own tax preparation business in 1980. He retired from his business in April of 2012.
In 1954, he was chosen as one of the first test subjects for Dr. Jonas Salk’s successful polio vaccine. He loved to travel and in addition to trips throughout
Pennsylvania, he traveled cross-country many times to visit relatives in California.
Despite his disabilities he was an avid hunter and fisherman. One of his great joys was to go fishing with his friends. He was known for his carpentry skills and enjoyed building furniture, fences and the occasional doghouse. He enjoyed surprising his family and friends with his skill in the use of power tools, guns and tractors. He was a familiar sight driving around Wallaceton and West Decatur on his lawnmower or his scooter. Many times he surprised friends and family by his unexpected visits.
Mr. Williams competed in wheelchair athletics and was a founding member of the Clearfield County Wheelchair Association, which was the first adaptive athletic club in Clearfield County. He was a member of the LIFT Thunder/ Lightening team and traveled as far as Canada to compete. He also played for the Fresno Wheelers when he was in California. He participated in the Pennsylvania Games and in the
San Jose, CA games in wheelchair track events and basketball.
He was a founding member of the regional independent living center, Life and Independence for Today. He has served as treasurer for the organization and has been a board member for many years. He has spent his adult life working as an advocate for people with disabilities through independent work and local charities and organizations. In 2000, he was awarded the “Advocate of the Year” by the Clearfield Area Consumer Advocacy Group. He was a member of the Wallaceton Church of God, the Curwensville Moose, and the Wallaceton Volunteer Fire Department for which he was a former treasurer.
Mr. Williams is survived by his brother, Paul Williams of West Decatur and sister
Barbara Faller of Grants Pass, OR; six nephews, Dr. Paul (Mary Kay) Stegner of
Redwood City, CA, Rodger (Debbie) Williams of Morrisdale, Randy (Laurie) Williams of Rockton, Chester Faller of Grants Pass, OR, Ricky (Becky) Williams of Houtzdale and Eric (Erica) Faller of Brentwood, CA; five nieces, Mrs. Jobe (Connie) Simcox of Landenberg, Mrs. Dave (Carol) Barner of Blair, NE, Mrs. Paul (Susan) Mitchell of Grants Pass, OR, Mrs. Gregory (Denise) Minarchick and Mrs. John (Georgia) Litz, all of West Decatur. He also has many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, a brother, Harold Williams; a sister, Virginia Stegner; and a niece, Clara Jane Williams preceded him in death.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Strange and Weaver Funeral Home in Morrisdale. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Johnson officiating.
Contributions in memory of Charles may be made to Clearfield County Easter Seal Society.