Charles Ailon Williams

Charles Ailon Williams, 92, of Huntsville, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born in Harrogate, TN and graduated from Forge Ridge High School in 1951. Charles served 4 years in the Navy from July 1951 – July 1955. He attended Indiana Technical College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, graduating in 1958 as an electrical engineer Bachelor of Science on the GI Bill.
While stationed in New London, Connecticut, he met the love of his life at a 'dance place'. He would tell his navy buddy that night after meeting Shirley Veronica McGetrick, "This is the one for me." They made plans to spend their life together, marrying August 19, 1955.
Charles worked for Sperry Rand in New York after graduating college. He transferred to Sperry Space Support Division in Huntsville in 1966. Sperry became part of Rockwell International. His work consisted of programs for Skylab, Apollo and Saturn V, as well as, the Space Shuttle. He retired as a Lead Engineer Huntsville Simulation Lab, MSFC, Rocketdyne division. Charles retired in October 1994, to play golf, travel, and do home projects. Having joined Valley Hill Country Club in 1972, he played golf for 40+ years there.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (2022); parents, Henry Powell Williams and Mary Estelle Lingar; sisters, Lois Vance and Vernice Brooks; brother, Gerald Williams; brothers-in-law, Buford Brooks and Bill Vance; sister-in-law, Ethel Lee Williams; and nephews, Terry and Dale Brooks.
Survivors include his three children, Deborah Ann Harwell, James Powell Williams (Debbie), Elizabeth Kimberly Fugitt (James); grandchildren, Lana Claire Rowse and Christian Alexander Fugitt; nephew, David Brooks; nieces, Anita Brooks, Lisa Williams and Angela Spiller; sister-in-law, Nancy McGetrick Flood in Connecticut; and ten nieces and nephews up north.
Charles was a good man, a sweet man, as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. More than anything he loved the love of his life, Shirley; his family; friends; and golf. He is now at peace and with those he loved who went before him.
He will live in our hearts forever with love.
A graveside service will be on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children Research.