Charles Edwin “Chip” Williams, III, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), age 79, passed away of natural causes on June 28, 2025, peacefully and surrounded by his family.
Born in Alabama into a military household, Chip’s early years took him across the U.S. and to Japan before he earned a Civil Air Patrol cadet scholarship and soloed his first flight on August 21, 1963. Chip spent five years as an enlisted airman in the Air National Guard, Active Duty, and Reserves, loading weapons on F 100Cs and other fighter aircraft. During his time in the Reserves, he attended The Citadel, graduating in 1971.
Commissioned in 1971, he completed flight school at Webb AFB in 1973 and flew B 52s at Kincheloe, Ellsworth, and Barksdale AFB as copilot, aircraft commander, instructor, and stan eval check pilot. In 1982, he was hand picked as one of seven SAC instructors for the B 1B program at Carswell AFB, helping develop curricula, flight manuals, and maintenance guides. While there, he earned a master’s degree from TCU.
In 1985, Chip relocated to Dyess AFB as a B 1B instructor pilot. He later returned to maintenance where he served as the QA Chief, Maintenance Supervisor, and Commander FMS and OMS maintenance squadrons. Joining the Inspector General Team in 1991, Chip conducted operational readiness inspections for Tactical and Strategic aircraft units. He retired in 1993 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
A lifelong aviator, Chip held Commercial, Multi Engine, Instrument rating pilot’s license with 3,000 hours flying time. He has piloted many airplanes, including the L 16, Piper Colt, C 172, PA 28 140, T 37, T 38, B 52, and B 1B.
Following his military career, he worked in real estate until retiring in 2009. Driven by his passion for aviation and preservation, he joined the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum in Tyler in 2010—serving as board member (2012–2019), Vice President (2012–2019), Chief of Aircraft Restoration (2011–2018) and later Curator. He also resumed Civil Air Patrol duties in 2013 with the Tyler Composite Squadron, commanding from 2016 to 2019, and mentoring cadets on flight and leadership.
Chip is survived by the mother of his children, Michelle Delaplaine; children Lincoln, Raegan, and Charley; grandchildren Katelyn, Cody, Jordan, Mackenzie, Kendall, and Mackalyn; and his great-grandson Theo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. Williams Jr. and Harriette Ann Williams.
Family, friends, and the aviation community are invited to his Memorial Service on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (Tyler, TX) online at http:/tylerhamm.org/donate.
Chip’s legacy soars on—in every flight inspired by his passion, every aircraft restored under his care, and every young pilot he mentored. May he forever ride the winds he so deeply loved.