Retired Williams executive dies

<br>TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Charles Pettigrew Williams Jr., retired chairman and executive vice president of Williams Cos., has died at age 87. <br><br>Williams, who stepped down from company leadership in

Wednesday, July 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Charles Pettigrew Williams Jr., retired chairman and executive vice president of Williams Cos., has died at age 87.

Williams, who stepped down from company leadership in 1974 and spent his later years in philanthropic pursuits, died Sunday.

Williams went to work in 1940 for Williams Brothers Co., which was founded by his uncles, Dave and Miller Williams in Fort Smith, Ark., in 1908.

In 1949, he, his brother and a cousin bought the family company.

Williams had served as Williams' vice president, executive vice president, and chairman.

``We all owe a debt of gratitude and respect to the Williams family for the opportunities they have afforded to people all over the world,'' said Steve Malcolm, the energy firm's current chief executive officer.

``Charlie will be missed,'' he said. ``His legacy and his company live on.''

Williams was born in Ashville, N.C., but grew up in Havana, Cuba. He received a degree in economics from Yale University.

He served in the Army during World War II and oversaw the construction of four airfields and pipelines from Burma to China.

``The war changed me,'' Williams once said. ``It made me appreciate what the United States has _ what home was.''

Williams served as director of the National Bank of Tulsa, president of the Children's Miracle Network board and on the boards of Philbrook Museum, Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa Opera and St. Simeon's Episcopal Home, among other activities.

His survivors include his wife, Kathleen, a son, Charles Williams III, and two daughters, Helen Martson and Kate Ingalls.