Man who killed wife was a pro wrestler
Police: Charles Williams shot his wife, then himself in murder-suicide
WEST GOSHEN » The man who apparently killed his wife inside their West Goshen home early Friday morning was an accomplished professional wrestler.
Police on Monday released the names of a West Goshen couple found dead early Friday morning in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide.
The bodies have been identified as those of Charles and Stephanie Burtnett Williams, a married couple who have resided at 302 N. Five Points Road.
Stephanie Williams was apparently shot by her husband, who then turned the gun on himself, police said. The couple leave behind two young children — 10-year-old twins.
Police are continuing their investigation. For the past few months, police had responded to the residence for reports of domestic violence calls.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Stephanie Williams to help defray her family’s funeral costs. Of a $20,000 goal, $8,850 had been raised as of Monday
evening. To donate money online, visit https://www. gofundme.com/xe4uz-funeral-costs.
The following message was posted on the GoFundMe site about Stephanie: “She was loved by so many and the outpouring of love, prayers and support has been an overwhelmingly welcomed feeling. Her family considered her the first born leader, the glue, the best friend, the heart of gold, the crafty one, the brain, and most importantly the best mother those children could ever have.”
To donate gifts, gift cards or letters to Stephanie’s two children, Colton and Maddison, both age 10, send to either: 2119 Strasburg Rd., Coatesville, PA 19320 or 332 Courtney Circle, West Chester, PA 19382.
Charles Williams, 52, was a former Extreme Championship Wrestling wrestler who went by the name “Rockin’ Rebel.” He made his pro wrestling debut in 1988, and was trained by Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, the legendary tag team the “Rock ’n Roll Express.”
In 1990, Williams signed with the Philadelphia-based Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. While touring with the TWA, Rebel became the first Tri-State Champion and had memorable feuds with The Sandman, D.C. Drake, and C.N. Redd. Despite its success, the TWA ceased operations abruptly in 1991. Williams returned to the promotion in early 1993 after it had been renamed Eastern Championship Wrestling.
In 1995, Williams had a brief stint in World Championship Wrestling and several matches with the World Wrestling Foundation. He toured Japan, Korea, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico in the mid1990s. In 2000, Williams debuted in Combat Zone Wrestling and appeared in many promotions and independent wrestling circuits.
Between 2003 and 2005, Rockin’ Rebel made numerous appearances with Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling. He later wrestled for numerous independent federations. He was inducted into the Dream Wrestling Federation and United World Wrestling halls of fame in 2012, and the Alternate Championship Wrestling, and Millennium Wrestling Federation, halls of fame in 2014.
Williams’ promoter, Rob Feinstein wrote on Facebook: “I have known him for over 30 years and I am in total shock. I have not talked to him in a long time but he was legit one of the funniest guys I have ever been around. When you hear about carny 101 I always think of him but in a good way. I never had any issues with him ever as he was always a barrel of laughs. God I have so many stories and memories and I just want to remember him for who he was not for the past 24 hours. We live in a crazy society and this is just tragic as I feel bad for their kids.”
On his Rockin’ Rebel Facebook page, Williams wrote on May 29, 2018: “Days of spending time with the ones who love you and you love them are far and few, make them count ...”
Just 10 days before the apparent murder-suicide, Charles Williams wrote this on his Facebook page: “Wake up every day and smile, it’s a new day and a fresh start ...”
On his website, Williams wrote this: “A true leader is not one who strives to be first but one who is first and gives their all for the success of the team. True leaders are first to see the need, envision the plan and empower the team for action.”