Charlie Williams oral history interview, November 21, 2013
Scope and Contents
Interviewed by Traci Drummond. Williams starts by recalling growing up in Missouri on a farm. His father was a farmer, his mother was a homemaker. He talks about joining Navy after high school, working as an aircraft mechanic in the Korean War. He discusses going to work for McDonnell Aircraft, where he joins the union and becomes shop steward. He recalls working in the regional office in Midwest territory and discusses working in political campaigns when he was chairman of labor council for Democratic Party. He talks about taking over national benefit trust fund office. He remembers his relationship with Wimpy Winpisinger and recalls with George Kourpias. He talks about working with the “Rat Pack" with Maria Cordone and Fred Perkins. He ends by talking about the most important thing about being in union and his mentors.
Dates
- Creation: November 21, 2013
Creator
- Williams, Charlie (Interviewee) (Interviewee, Person)
Restrictions on Access
Oral history available for research.
Biographical Note
Charlie Williams was born in Arbyrd, Missouri, a small farming community. His father was a farmer; mother was a homemaker. He joined the Navy after graduating from high school and worked as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he went to work for McDonnell Aircraft and joined the IAM. He became shop steward and eventually special grand lodge rep. He served as chairman of the labor council for Democratic Party, working in various political campaigns. He also worked for the national benefit trust fund office. After his retirement, he worked with the Alliance for Retired Americans and the "Rat Pack" with Maria Cordone and Fred Perkins.
Extent
2 item(s) (audio (1:14:32 duration) transcript (74 pages))
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)
archives@gsu.edu