Funeral services for William Charles Anderson will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, October 17, 2025, at Hale’s Memorial Chapel in Davis with brother Randy Chapman officiating. Interment services will be held that afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Green Hill Cemetery in Lindsay. William Charles Anderson was born October 17, 1935, in a home outside of Davis, Oklahoma to Vernett “Blackie” Anderson. Charles was an only child and raised in the home with his mom and grandparents, Tom and Maud Anderson. Charles is preceded in death by his grandparents, Tom and Maud Anderson; mother, Vernett Anderson; son, Gary Len Anderson; and daughter-in-law Brenda Kay Webb Anderson. He is survived by his wife, El Ray Lindy Anderson; son, Charles Ken Anderson; daughter, Tammy Lee Anderson Wilson and her spouse, Wesley Wilson; grandchildren, Nicholas Anderson and his wife, Heidi; Ian Wilson; Lea Teves and spouse, Cody; and Jake Anderson and spouse, Erin; and great-grandchildren, Stella and Jasper Teves, Carter and Eliza Anderson and Adalynn Wilson.
Charles spent his childhood riding horses and roaming the Arbuckle Mountains. Fishing and hunting was a favorite pastime.
He was a great athlete growing up. He excelled at basketball and baseball during his school years. So, his academic achievement was perfect high school attendance.
Charles decided to forgo college scholarships to marry high school sweetheart El Ray Lindy Pickens on December 24, 1955, at the Hennepin Baptist Church. Charles and El Ray had three children, Charles Ken Anderson was born March 10, 1957; Gary Len Anderson was born March 3, 1960; and Tammy Lee Anderson Wilson born December 13, 1961.
Charles had many occupations: carpentry, retail, farming, and insurance sales. He began a career with CR Anthony’s in Pauls Valley between 1956 and 1992, managing stores in Iowa, and Norman, Lindsay and Purcell, Oklahoma. Charles and El Ray returned to Davis to live on their farm in 1992. He continued to work at the Gordon White Lumber Company in Davis after retirement.
Charles continued his athleticism into adulthood. While living in Norman he played basketball with some basketball stars and held his own. He refereed many basketball games around southern Oklahoma. He was known around the Lindsay and Pauls Valley area for his pitching in fast-pitch softball.
Charles always made time for family and friends and always welcomed friends on our family adventures. Charles and El Ray enjoyed going to Mexico, Hawaii, Maine, Alaska and on family cruises.
Charles was happiest bragging about his grandkids, riding horseback or working on the Anderson Ranch. Charles was a rancher at heart. He truly enjoyed hauling hay, fixing fences and pulling calves in the middle of the night in the cold of winter. He loved working the cattle, farming and ranching, and of course raising his horses. He was often up at 3 a.m. to check the cows calving year-round and return home for milk, cocoa, and sugar. He continued the milk, cocoa and sugar in his last days at home.
Charles lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease Thursday, October 10, 2025. Services are entrusted to HALE’S Funeral Home of Davis. On-line condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.
