Arthur Charles Williams

1926 - 2023

Arthur Charles Williams
March 27, 1926 - February 23, 2023
Fresno, California - Arthur "Art" Williams passed away one month shy of his 97th birthday after a very full and productive life, clear to the very end. He embodied everything we admire of the "greatest generation." Art was known to be an incredibly fun, kind, and generous man. He will be greatly missed.
Art was born in 1926 to Silas Ezra Williams and Alberta Ida Peasgood Williams in Madera, CA. He spent much of his childhood in Burbank, CA,
At the age of 17, Art joined the Navy and fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII in the Bougainville Campaign in New Guinea and in the Battle of Guam. After his discharged, in 1946, he returned to Burbank CA. While there, he worked as a mechanic. On weekends he would build and race hot rods, winning many trophies. He also became an excellent water-skier with the Burbank Waterski Club. Where he met his daughter's mother Jean.
In 1956, Art moved to Fresno to help his father (who lived in Bass Lake) and brother with their auto repair shop in Oakhurst. He decided to settle in the area because of all the great waterskiing lakes so close by.
In 1957, he opened his own auto shop in Fresno: Cal-State Muffler at Blackstone and Olive (later became Cal-State Auto Center). Art married Pamela Nadine Traylor in 1971 and the two of them grew the Cal-State business to three highly successful shops in Fresno and Clovis that provided full-service repair and maintenance for cars and motorhomes. Due to his love of racing, Art sponsored many race cars throughout the years.
Every year for 25 years, Art and Pam would drive their motorhome to Cabo San Lucas, passing out school supplies and toothbrushes along the way. They were also avid travelers around the US and abroad.
Art is survived by his daughter Lori Gordines of Kauai, HI and his two stepsons Lou Moench of Santa Monica, CA, and Paul Moench of Emeryville, CA as well as two grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
He is predeceased by his Father Silas "Si" Williams, Mother Bertha Peasgood "Bert" Williams, brother Stan Williams, and his sisters Norma Anderson and Mildred "Terry" Wallien.