Carl L. Williams,
May 21, 1932 — March 19, 2020
Carl L. Williams, Jr., of Columbus, GA, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, from complications following surgery.
A private funeral service for the family was held at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907, with a public memorial service to be held at a later date, when the health crisis subsides. A private Interment was held at Parkhill Cemetery.
Carl was born in Trion, GA on May 21, 1932, to the late Carl and Myrtis Williams. He grew up in Trion and graduated from Trion High School in 1949 where he served as class president all four years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Textiles, with Honor, in the Cooperative Program from Georgia Tech, in 1954. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Phi Psi Textile Honor Fraternity, and the Briaerean Honor Society for Cooperative Program students at Georgia Tech.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Williams, second wife, Gloria Williams, and sister, Nancy Stewart.
Carl married Jean in 1953, and they were happily married until her death in 1990.
Carl served in the United States Army for two years, most recently at Fort Benning. He left the Army in 1954 with an honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant. He joined Reeves Brothers, a textile company, in 1955. He worked for Reeves Brothers and its successor, Fieldcrest/Cannon, until retirement in 1995. Carl spent his entire career at the Eagle & Phenix Mill in Columbus, GA, with various responsibilities, including plant manager, division/area manager for Georgia and Alabama, and division vice president.
Carl married Gloria in 2005, and they were happily married until her death in 2015.
Carl was an avid golfer and a member of Bull Creek Golf Course. Among his golf highlights were two holes in one at Bull Creek. He was a former member of the Golf Authority of Muscogee County.
Carl was a loyal fan of Georgia Tech sports. He loved baseball and visiting stadiums. He personally attended a game in every major league baseball park that existed during his adult lifetime, through 2007, and made sure to buy a lapel pin, hot dog, and peanuts at most of the parks.
In 1973, Carl joined with Lee Railey, Don Padgett, and the late Ron Brown to form a golf group that has lasted to this day. Over the years, the group has averaged two rounds of golf per week. C.L. Moffitt joined the group in 2007 and was a member until his death in 2019. Due to health reasons, Ron had to stop playing golf in 2009 and Don had to stop playing in 2014. Carl's son, Chip, became a "part-time" member of the golf group in 1999.
Carl was a member of the Beallwood Baptist Church since 1957, where he served as chairman of the deacons, church treasurer, and member of the finance, building, and stewardship committees. He also served as Sunday school superintendent and as a Sunday school teacher.
Carl enjoyed being "Guy Guy" to his grandson, Rob.
Carl is survived by his daughters, Leigh Williams of Columbus, GA and Amy Lacher of Marietta, GA; son Chip Williams (Debbie) of Vinings, GA; grandchildren, Robert Lacher and fiancée Katherine Baquero Herrera of Marietta, GA, Chip Cathey of Winter Park, FL, Jeff Cathey (Heather) of Troutman, NC, Trey Cathey of Fayetteville, GA; great-grandchildren, Vivian Cathey of Winter Park, FL, and Luke and Dylan Cathey of Troutman, NC; stepmother, Jessie Williams of Abilene, TX; stepsister, Linda Vines (Tommy) and their children, Les, Laurie, and Lance; niece, Nina Micale (Paul) and their children, Laura and Patrick of Marietta GA; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In honor please make donations to the Beallwood Baptist Church Building Fund, 4650 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus, GA 31904.
A private funeral service for the family was held at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907, with a public memorial service to be held at a later date, when the health crisis subsides. A private Interment was held at Parkhill Cemetery.
Carl was born in Trion, GA on May 21, 1932, to the late Carl and Myrtis Williams. He grew up in Trion and graduated from Trion High School in 1949 where he served as class president all four years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Textiles, with Honor, in the Cooperative Program from Georgia Tech, in 1954. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Phi Psi Textile Honor Fraternity, and the Briaerean Honor Society for Cooperative Program students at Georgia Tech.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Williams, second wife, Gloria Williams, and sister, Nancy Stewart.
Carl married Jean in 1953, and they were happily married until her death in 1990.
Carl served in the United States Army for two years, most recently at Fort Benning. He left the Army in 1954 with an honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant. He joined Reeves Brothers, a textile company, in 1955. He worked for Reeves Brothers and its successor, Fieldcrest/Cannon, until retirement in 1995. Carl spent his entire career at the Eagle & Phenix Mill in Columbus, GA, with various responsibilities, including plant manager, division/area manager for Georgia and Alabama, and division vice president.
Carl married Gloria in 2005, and they were happily married until her death in 2015.
Carl was an avid golfer and a member of Bull Creek Golf Course. Among his golf highlights were two holes in one at Bull Creek. He was a former member of the Golf Authority of Muscogee County.
Carl was a loyal fan of Georgia Tech sports. He loved baseball and visiting stadiums. He personally attended a game in every major league baseball park that existed during his adult lifetime, through 2007, and made sure to buy a lapel pin, hot dog, and peanuts at most of the parks.
In 1973, Carl joined with Lee Railey, Don Padgett, and the late Ron Brown to form a golf group that has lasted to this day. Over the years, the group has averaged two rounds of golf per week. C.L. Moffitt joined the group in 2007 and was a member until his death in 2019. Due to health reasons, Ron had to stop playing golf in 2009 and Don had to stop playing in 2014. Carl's son, Chip, became a "part-time" member of the golf group in 1999.
Carl was a member of the Beallwood Baptist Church since 1957, where he served as chairman of the deacons, church treasurer, and member of the finance, building, and stewardship committees. He also served as Sunday school superintendent and as a Sunday school teacher.
Carl enjoyed being "Guy Guy" to his grandson, Rob.
Carl is survived by his daughters, Leigh Williams of Columbus, GA and Amy Lacher of Marietta, GA; son Chip Williams (Debbie) of Vinings, GA; grandchildren, Robert Lacher and fiancée Katherine Baquero Herrera of Marietta, GA, Chip Cathey of Winter Park, FL, Jeff Cathey (Heather) of Troutman, NC, Trey Cathey of Fayetteville, GA; great-grandchildren, Vivian Cathey of Winter Park, FL, and Luke and Dylan Cathey of Troutman, NC; stepmother, Jessie Williams of Abilene, TX; stepsister, Linda Vines (Tommy) and their children, Les, Laurie, and Lance; niece, Nina Micale (Paul) and their children, Laura and Patrick of Marietta GA; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In honor please make donations to the Beallwood Baptist Church Building Fund, 4650 Veterans Pkwy, Columbus, GA 31904.
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