Dr. Charles Lee Williams

WILLIAMS, Dr. Charles Lee, After a very long and productive life, Dr. Williams passed away on December 14, 2022 at the age of 106 plus eight months. He was born in 1916 to Thomas and Clemmie Williams in South Richmond, previously Manchester. His beloved wife of 67 years, Doris Childress Williams; and his three siblings, Rev. Edwin Williams, Benjamin Williams and Florence Williams Schutte, predeceased him.

He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1934. After working for eight years, he then enrolled as a freshman at the University of Richmond. He then went on to earn his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia (now VCU). His strong work ethic began when he was a child. He took in coal, delivered newspapers, sold ballpark concessions, worked as a helper on a milk delivery wagon, drove a long distance truck from Richmond to Baltimore and Philadelphia, then acquired his own milk delivery route with Virginia Dairy. He was loyal to his customers despite road hazards, heavy snow, floods, vehicle breakdowns and accidents.

That same dedication transferred to his studies and to part-time work as a middle-of-the-night milk delivery truck loader while in college. In medical school, he was editor of the X-Ray, which was the yearbook for MCV, and he served as the projectionist for the Richmond Academy of Medicine meetings. He would later become its oldest member having been on their roster for 73 years.

As a beloved family physician starting in 1949, he gave new meaning to the word care. His patient following grew and he became an institution in South Richmond. He dealt with acute and chronic illness, minor trauma and from 1949 until 1961, by his estimate, delivered about a thousand babies. Many individuals and multi-generational families remained his patients until he hung up his stethoscope and retired from practice in 1988 at the age of 72. Home care visits were a big part of his practice for much of his career.

In 1952, he purchased a wooded, undeveloped waterfront lot on the Rappahannock River close to Urbanna. It would become the recreational focus of his life and that of his family. He was a charter member of the Kilmer's Point Citizen's Association and was a very active participant.

He wore many hats as physician, husband, son for his widowed mother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, employer for his office, tutor, gardener, stone mason, plumber, electrician, carpenter, house painter, general repair man, duck, goose and dove hunter, fisherman, local history and genealogy researcher and as a friend to many. He was the Manchester Gang Citizen of the Year in 1992.

He is survived by his daughter, Betty Williams James (Stan), with whom he lived for nine and a half years up until the date of his death; and his son, Marvin T. Williams, M.D., with whom he was in practice for 11 years. He leaves behind four grandchildren, David James, Brian James (Kathy), Jennifer Williams Anderson (Eric) and Mary Beth James El-Shafie (Kiere). His 11 great-grandchildren are Rachel Anderson, Caleb James, Megan James, Victoria Anderson, Logan James, Kennedy James, Zanna James, Harrison James, Parker El-Shafie, Kate El-Shafie and Charlotte El-Shafie.

The family will receive friends at Westover Hills United Methodist Church, 1705 Westover Hills Blvd., Richmond, Va. 23225, prior to a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022 and at a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be sent to Westover Hills United Methodist Church.