New Mexico Elks Association

     Charles F. Williams, who goes by "Chuck" is a native Texan born in the small farming town of Wylie on January 24th.  He grew up there on his grandfather's farm often doing tasks such as harvesting peanuts, picking cotton and topping onions.  Chuck attended Woodrow Wilson High School for his final two years of High School as his parents moved to Dallas, TX.  He graduated in 1951.  Enrolling in Texas A & M College then, University now, Chuck was in ROTC and graduated in 1956 in a degree in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Math.  He worked for 3 years with the General Electric Company & served on active duty during this time for two years.  He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge at Ft. Dix, NJ with the rank of Captain.

       Following the Armed Service, Chuck Williams was employed by Collins Radio Company, a firm based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  This 34 years of service provided him with assignments to the NASA Apollo Tracking Stations installations where he traveled to over 20 foreign countries, working in remote areas and encountering many different languages and customs.  In 1974, Rockwell International bought Collins Radio Company and he was in the Electronics Division of Rockwell.  He worked on U.S. Air Force contracts which took him to almost every Strategic Air Force base in America to install special flight control instruments.  He broadened his professional experience by affiliating with the American Society of Quality Engineers, the National Management Association and the Society of Logistics Engineers.  He retired in 1992.

       Chuck Williams joined the Elks in 1972 becoming a Charter member of Plano, TX. Lodge No. 2485.  Because of his experience in Boy Scouts, he became the Lodge Youth Activities Committee Chairperson and worked with youth becoming the State Youth Activities Chair, and winning recognition for the State Association.  In 1975, Chuck won the All-State Esteemed Lecturing Knight ritual award.  He was elected Exalted Ruler of his Lodge serving in 1977-78.  He won the Eleven O'clock Toast Contest and the Salute to the Flag Contest receiving State ritual awards.  His work on many State Committees earned him experience to be elected Vice President of his District in 1980 and then State President Elect in 1982, serving as State President in 1983-84. 

       Chuck was appointed District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1981 for the Texas North District going on to serve Grand Lodge with appointments to the State Associations Committee, the New Lodge Development Committee, the Membership Committee and in 1990, he served on the Lodge Activities Committee.  He was then nominated to the Board of Grand Trustees and served  in 1991 and 1992.  Upon the death of his State Sponsor, Hon. Willis C. McDonald, Chuck was the endorsed candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler.  He was nominated and elected in Portland, Or. in 1993 for Grand Exalted Ruler and served in 1993-94 in this esteemed position. 

      Chuck Williams has a family with his wife Janet, 8 children, 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren at this time. He is a member of the First Christian Church and enjoys golf and football.  Upon retirement from his professional career, Chuck and Janet have settled back in Plano, TX. just 7 miles from where he was born.
 

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