Charles l. “rusty” Williams
1944-2015
Our beloved Rusty passed away unexpectedly on the 19th of November 2015, in Houston, Texas. He was 71 years of age.
Rusty was raised in Menard, Texas where he was a multi-sport letterman and captain of the football team. His love of all things Texas led him to attend the University of Texas where he studied business, graduating with a BBA in Finance. He continued his education at Rutgers University where he graduated from the worldrenowned Stonier School of Banking and went on to complete further studies at the American Institute of Banking.
Rusty’s strong interest in finance led him to a life-long career in banking where he was highly regarded for his expertise and sound business advice. He began as a protégé’of Ben Love at Texas Commerce Bank where he excelled as a career path banking executive. His early success laid the groundwork for his later service as the President, CEO and Director of both West Belt National Bank and National Bank of Commerce. His thirst for new challenges led Rusty to become the Founding Principle of Fidelity Equity Alliance where he served as President and CEO. At Fidelity, he provided business and banking consultative services as well as serving as an expert witness for Fortune 500 companies, banking institutions and attorneys across the country.
His passion for golf and wine led to his long time membership at Lakeside Country Club where he served on various committees none more important than his beloved Wine Committee. As a member, leader and ultimately Chairman of the Wine Committee, he led his fellow members across the country and globe on wine trips searching vineyards and wineries for world class vintages.
Rusty was a lover of people. He was married for 33 years to the love of his life, Sicily Sterling Williams. Together, they travelled the world enjoying many different cultures and climates with significant trips to France, Italy and Napa Valley. They as well were partners in a home outside of Vail, Colorado where they hosted family and friends as they explored western Colorado and enjoyed fine gourmet dinners . He had two daughters, Ashley and Brooke, whom he loved dearly and with whom he spent countless hours over lunch or dinner discussing business and business strategy. To complete Rusty’s family circle, his stepdaughter, Sicily King, blessed him with three grandsons, Christopher, Kenneth and Nicholas. He loved what he called “the boys” and never missed an opportunity to mentor them in their various professions and on what he called the true meaning of life.
Rusty leaves behind his loving wife, Sicily, his daughters Ashley Williams and Brooke Williams, his stepdaughter Sicily King and her husband Dan King, his grandsons Christopher, Kenny and Nicholas, his sister Cary Gay Tanner, brother in law Norman Tanner and his nieces Paige Steed and Melissa Smith. Rusty was predeceased by his mother Bette Gaynell Williams and father Albert B. “Red” Williams.
The funeral service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 24th of November, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, where the Rev. R-J Heijmen, Senior Associate Rector for Christian Education, Stewardship and Student Ministries at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.
The family and Rusty are honored by the service of Jack Sweeney, Jeff Cohen, Bill Kimbrell, John McDonald, Tim Mercer, John Rambeau, Tom Wilson, Greg Jones, Bob Dunn, Larry Melody, Jay Williams, Christopher Iconos, Kenneth Iconos and Nicholas Iconos as Honorary Pallbearers.
An interment service will be held at a later date at the Grace Hill Cemetery in Longview, Texas
...and to you Rusty, your family and friends, we will all miss you. We loved your kind heart, spirit for life and gentle ways. Peace to you... peace to you...