Charles Williams Jr.

Charles Williams, Jr., 91, of Mount Dora, went home to be with the Lord on November 14, 2018. Born in New York, New York, he moved to Mount Dora in 2015 from Ormond Beach, FL. A remarkable man who filled his years with hard work, love for family and generosity. Charles enlisted in the US Navy, right after high school and served from 1944 - 1946. He was proud of his service and often told stories of his experiences at his Newfoundland duty station. After the war, Charles worked with the New York Telephone company as a lineman. He also studied at the "Specialty Trades School for Electrical Engineering". In 1962, he left New York and followed his parents to Daytona Beach. His interest was in the heating and air conditioning field. He worked for General Electric as a distributor of heating and air conditioning equipment. Using his skills as a mechanic and electrician he created the "Fla. Air", known as FLAIR, air conditioning company. The company became highly successful and was known for its great reputation, which still exists today. Eventually, he found his way into home building. He didn't stop with home, as through the years he built strip centers, hotels and office buildings. He was, perhaps, best known for his ability to find something "old" and remodel it. He met his wife, Linda, in 1976 in Atlanta, Ga. They dated for years, finally marrying in 1982. Charles and Linda loved Ormond Beach. They lived "Ocean front" for a few years before finally moving to Riverside Drive where they lived for 31 years. Their home held many parties and gatherings over the years. They loved to entertain, especially during the annual July 4th celebration. Charles and Linda loved to travel. Whether it was riding elephants in Thailand, standing on the Great Wall of China, visiting Moscow, sailing the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or cruising the Mediterranean Sea they enjoyed each trip uniquely and made friends everywhere they traveled. Charles served on the Board of Directors at Embry Riddle. They enjoyed their membership and friends at the Ormond Beach Country Club and Halifax Yacht Club. Charles was always the prankster in the group. He was known for his sense of humor and contagious smile. Charles and His wife were generous in philanthropic giving. Their name is on the MOAS museum for Children, as they were the principal donors for the "Charles and Linda Williams Children Museum". Charles loved to watch the children play. He gifted local churches with the play grounds for the children. He enjoyed visiting the Ormond Beach waterfall (which he referred to as the "Joy Waterfall", named after his granddaughter) which he donated to Ormond Beach. Also, every Christmas, his legacy lives on as the Christmas trees that light up the water adjacent to the Granada Bridge were donated by him. He spent the last three years living in Mount Dora at Waterman Village. The people there became "like family". The staff, nurses, CNA's, security and others loved Charles and Charles loved them. He was a loving husband and father but he saved his best for his grandkids always teasing with them and enjoying their presence. Charles was man to remember as his kindness, humor, and generosity made him loved by friends and family alike. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda A. Williams, Mount Dora, FL; daughter, Ellen (Dave) Hullerman, Bowling Green, FL; step-son, Michael Wayne (Judy) Hardy, Mount Dora, FL; step-daughter, Debra Lynn (Leon) Stevens, Franklin, TN, 7 grandchildren, Joy (John), Cindy, James, Kendall, Brittany, Michael & Madeline; 3 great-grandchildren, Darius, Garrett & Daniel. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles D. Williams. Services will be held at Garden of Life Chapel at Waterman Village, Mount Dora on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 11:30 AM. Interment will follow at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Charles & Linda Williams Children's Museum @ the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, FL ( www.moas.org ). Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.