Obituary: Ted Williams, innovative daredevil
North Carolinan Ted Williams, 75, long-time president of Williams Fabricare
(d.b.a. Williams/Hangers Cleaners) and the first cleaner to install liquid
carbon dioxide equipment in his plant, passed away on Saturday, April 21.
At the time of his passing, he peacefully watched the sunset on the porch of his
family
’s farm, Spencer’s Trace. Just before that, he had concluded a four-hour motorcycle ride among
the curviest and hilliest roads he could find near his home.
A passionate lover of life, riding motorcycles was one of Williams’ more adventurous hobbies, although one he had only recently took part in. He
bought his first motorcycle
— a 40th Anniversary Suzuki Volusia — when he was 71.
According to Mildred Williams, his wife of 48 years, her husband was always a
bit of a
“daredevil.”
As a young boy in his hometown of Lumberton, NC, he and his sisters pooled
together silver dollars given to them from their uncle on their birthdays to
buy a bicycle that they all enjoyed.
At 14, Williams entered his first Soap Box Derby, which he won a year later and
went on to represent Wilmington in the finals in Akron, OH.
His love of speed was fueled even more when he became old enough to drive. His
friends envied him because he had the fastest car in town, a 1939 Ford. Even
the police failed to keep up with him.
As an adult, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from East
Carolina University.
When he became president of Williams Fabricare, Inc., the company started by his
father, he was often affectionately referred to as
“The Chief” by employees. It was important to him that everybody at the company felt proud
of their role in it.
Through perseverance, he built the business up from its sole original location
to seven scattered throughout the county. He carefully crafted the look of his
plants, which earned him two Plant Design Awards from the International Dry
Cleaning Association.
According to Steve Coleman, Hangers/Williams Cleaners general manager, Williams
was no stranger to hard work.
“He was the first one in the morning and the last one to leave at night,” he said. “He was always there, working side by side with everyone.”
Williams was also an advocate of working side by side in the drycleaning
industry, as well. He served on the board of directors for the North Carolina
Association of Launderers and Cleaners for many years, as well as president,
treasurer and as a trustee.
He was also quite the innovator, according to Sto Fox, executive director of
NCALC.
“Ted was a technological trailblazer,” he said. “ He was the first person to air condition his plants, bravely spearheaded the
installation of the first liquid CO2 plant, continuously invested in progress
and improvement of our industry, but most importantly
— Ted was a mentor to all.”
In fact, many long-time cleaners will always remember Williams fondly for giving
them inspiration and moral support over the years.
“Hard worker, true to his word, first to try new things, always willing to share
his expertise, full of life, one of the key people in keeping our association
together through some rough times,
” noted NCALC Past President Graham Grissom.
In addition to leading the industry, Williams also set a positive example in his
community. For over 60 years, he was a member of the Winter Park Baptist
Church, where he also taught Sunday school and served as a deacon on numerous
committees.
He also coached several recreation and church athletic teams where he was often
addressed as
“Uncle Ted.”
Additionally, he served on boards for various local agencies including Wachovia
Bank and Pop Warner Football, and he was recognized with a Governor
’s Award for Arts and Humanities for his volunteer efforts for the Cape Fear
Museum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to Williams’ favorite charity: the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-9911.
