“He is not gone. He’s just in a better place waiting for us to get there.”
By Debbie Hall and Taylor Boyd
Local auctioneer, veteran and philanthropist Charles Edward Williams Jr. died April 25, 2026, at age 75.
A celebration of life was held Saturday, May 9, at Wright Funeral Home, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects.
Williams is survived by his son, Donald Thomas Williams; his fiancée, Horsepasture District Supervisor Debra Buchanan; stepchildren Bryan Buchanan (Trish) and Brittany Buchanan Kelly (Sean); grandchildren Ryan, Caitlin, and Savannah; and “special sister,” Peggie Parsons Powell.
Family remembers his role at home
Bryan Buchanan said Williams came into his life when he was about 10 years old.
“Charles Williams came into my life when I was about 10, so Charles is my step-dad, right. But that doesn’t truly encompass who he was or what he meant to this family,” he said.
He said Williams and his mother found each other during difficult times.
“When Charles and my mom found each other … I think there was something in both of them that was broken,” Buchanan said. “Charles carried the scars of Vietnam. My mom was trying to raise two little traumatized kids by herself … There was big hole inside of each of them. They both needed something.”
Buchanan said Williams fully embraced their family.
“He would hardly take my mother anywhere without bringing my sister and me,” he said. “It was important to him that we were there.”
Debra Buchanan has also said he always included children in their lives and travels.
“He told me wherever we go, the children go with us,” she said. “If the children aren’t welcome, then we’re not welcome.”
She said he made sure family trips included places children would enjoy.
“He would look for places where my son could eat,” she said, adding that she and Williams had been together for more than 33 years.
Williams told her that he fell in love with her the first time he saw her, “’but, I never thought you would go out with me,’” he said at the time.
While they had met before, the two started dating after Williams encountered her mother while selling jewelry at a regional flea market.
“She said, ‘I know someone I want you to meet, my daughter,’” Buchanan said. “He finally got up the nerve after about six months.”
She said his generosity defined him.
“He was always wanting to help someone,” she said. “He would give you the shirt off his back if that’s what it took.”
Community service and volunteer work
Williams was deeply involved in community service throughout his life.
He served more than 15 years with the Horsepasture Volunteer Rescue Squad as a driver and board member and was an honorary member of the Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department. He also served as a former president of the Emergency Services Advisory Committee.
Capt. Hubbard of the Horsepasture Rescue Squad led a final call in his honor, recognizing Williams’ decades of service and support for local emergency responders.
Williams was also a member of the Horsepasture Ruritan Club for more than 30 years, including four years as president. During his tenure, he was named “President of the Year” at the district level and received both the “Ruritan of the Year” and Tom Downing Award.
He served on the Citizens Advisory Board at Camp 28 and helped with the annual Coat Drive for Kids for more than 28 years.
In February 2026, Williams received the 2025 Jack Dalton Community Service Award from the Henry County Board of Supervisors.
Blackberry District Supervisor and Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams has said Williams was a regular presence at meetings for years.
“He’s probably seen more business conducted than any staff member,” Adams said. “It wasn’t just attending meetings — he had insight into the business of Henry County.”
Adams said Williams was often the first face visitors saw in the Summerlin Room.
“He was considered one of the strongest in that field,” Adams said of his auction work.
He also handled county delinquent property auctions and donated his services to local organizations.
“Just a great guy to be around,” Adams said. “I don’t know of anyone who could not say anything positive about him.”
Auction work, military service and career
A 1969 graduate of Martinsville High School, Williams served 13 months in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the 1st Signal Brigade attached to the 101st Airborne Division near Phu Bai, Vietnam. He later served at the Pentagon and reached the rank of sergeant.
He was a member of American Legion Post 42, where he received the Outstanding Military Award in 2020, and was a life member of VFW Post 1115.
Williams earned an associate degree in business administration from Patrick & Henry Community College.
After retiring from Georgia-Pacific, he founded Williams Auction Co. LLC, a Martinsville-based auction business he operated for nearly 25 years. He was also a certified appraiser.
Remembered for generosity, humor and values
Debra Buchanan has said Williams rarely publicized his charitable giving.
“The heading he always had me write was ‘Tis the Season for Giving,’” she said. “He hoped if others saw him giving, they might think about doing the same.”
She said Williams was also an organ donor, though complications from Agent Orange exposure during Vietnam prevented donation.
“But his attitude was if someone else can use some part of me, then I want to try and help them to live,” she said.
Toward the end of his life, Debra Buchanan said Williams focused on ensuring his affairs were in order.
“He said his name was attached, and he wanted to make sure everything went as planned,” she said.
She said their differences balanced one another.
“He was more of a jokester, and I’m more serious,” she said. “That helped balance us out.”
Williams also held strong convictions about right and wrong and believed in hard work and the American Dream, she said.
His military discipline remained with him throughout his life.
“When he got out of bed, his bed was always made,” Buchanan said.
She also recalled his enduring sense of duty.
“If my country called me today, I would tell them I can’t run now, but I think I can still shoot,” she said.
“He said if I had to go again and serve my country, I would.”
“A celebration of life”
Adams said Williams’ life reflected service and generosity.
“I don’t think we can say enough things that cover the depth of the impact Charles made,” Adams said at an April 28 board meeting. “Charles would have wanted us to see some things as a celebration of life, because that’s the way he lived … thinking of fellow man and what would make a community better.”
