Charles E. Williams

Chuck Williams - Voice Of Winona AthleticsCharles E. "Chuck" Williams the well-known voice behind Winona sports passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday March 13, 2010 surrounded by family.Chuck was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1921 to David and Margaret (Reynolds) Williams. Always an avid sports fan, Chuck grew up in Chicago listening to his favorite broadcaster, Hal Totten, the voice of the Chicago Cubs and White Sox in the 1930's. He was inspired by Totten's broadcasting style and became a household name when it came to representing Winona athletics.Chuck graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1938 and enrolled as a freshman at Saint Mary's College, graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. As a student he earned a baseball letter playing infield under both Moose Krause and Max Molock, and was the sports editor for the SMC campus newspaper. Following commencement Chuck worked briefly for the Winona Republican Herald but had his heart set on radio. Max White soon hired him at KWNO as a staff announcer and disc jockey. Some may remember enjoying his easy-listening music talk show aptly titled "Willie's Wax Works" during the early 1940's.Soon after the invasion of Pearl Harbor, Chuck joined the military, proudly serving his country and fellow servicemen as a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps and Armed Services Radio stationed in the Pacific Theater.Upon completion of his military service Chuck returned to Winona and to KWNO in 1946. He immediately headed straight to the Minnesota State Catholic High School basketball Tournament with John Nett and the Winona Cotter Ramblers. That assignment was the beginning of 44 years of sports broadcasting in Winona. Chuck married Claire Ayotte on June 19, 1948, at St. Thomas Pro Cathedral, and they were members of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.Few could describe a game or play like Williams did. It is estimated that he gave play-by-play descriptions of between 4000 and 4500 athletic contests, and recorded more than 30,000 "Mike Side of Sports" programs on KWNO, Winona. Chuck always took immense pride in bringing local sports to Winona homes for fans of Southern Minnie Baseball, Winona High, Winona Cotter, Winona State, Saint Mary's and the Winona LeJetz. Williams also served as KWNO's general manager from 1961-1985. While Chuck retired from broadcasting in 1986, he never retired from his love of sports. He joined Bud Baechler and the crew at Mediawerks as a copy editor for 15 years. In 2001, Gary Evans persuaded him join the HBCI team for a third career as a sports editor and staff "mentor." Chuck also enjoyed compiling and publishing "From the Sidelines" a weekly sports column for the Winona Post.Thankful for his many contributions to Winona athletics, local sports fans honored Chuck with a "Chuck Williams Recognition Night" in 1986, and with induction into the Saint Mary's College Hall of Fame in 1987, the Winona Senior High School Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Winona Cotter Athletic Hall Of Fame in 2005.Surviving Chuck is his wife of 62 years, Claire; daughters, Mary (Paul) Bambenek of Winona, MN, Patricia (John Dickey) Malay of Burnsville, MN, and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Steve Reinhart) of Phoenix, AZ; son, Thomas (Linda) Williams of Winona, MN; and grandchildren, Sean Malay, Caitlin Bambenek, Madison Reinhart, Aubrey, Allyssa and Abby Williams. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John Williams, and grandson, Joshua Malay.The family invites you to gather with them in celebration of Chuck's remarkable life and love beginning with a visitation on Monday from 5-8:00pm at St. Thomas More Chapel on the campus of St. Mary's University where there will be a Christian Prayer Service held at 7:30pm. The family also invites you to a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 16th, at 5:00pm, at St. Thomas More Chapel with Fathers R. Paul Heiting, Andrew Fabian and Paul E. Nelson concelebrating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass. Following Mass there will be a reception in the Hall of Fame Room, in the Toner Student Center.The family cordially suggests in leu of flowers that memorials may be directed to St. Mary's University or a charity of the donor's choice. Please share a memory of Chuck with the family or sign his online guestbook at: www.hofffuneral.comWhile Chuck was famous for his talents behind the microphone, his true and lasting legacy is the love respect and kindness he shared with others during his long and remarkable life. Chuck was gentle, generous, humble and patient. His love and care for wife Claire, children, grandchildren, extended family, colleagues and friends was always his top priority. It was fitting indeed that he would slip from this world into the arms of Our Heavenly Father quietly, peacefully and surrounded by his beloved family. As Chuck would say it: "That's it from here...good night all...good night Claire!"
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/125943