William "Bill" Charles was born on April 4, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Miami at Ohio with a degree in Business. He grew up in Downers Grove, where he met his wife of 50 years, Judith Dietz Charles. While living in Indiana for a few years, he and Judy had two daughters, Jeanne and Jackie.

Tired of cold winters and shoveling snow, Bill moved the family to Winter Park, Florida in 1973.

Bill was known for his love of music, art, history, and travel. His daughters say they owe their love of the arts to him, and remember an eclectic mix of music being played loudly at home – from Mozart, Vivaldi, and Pavarotti, to Elton John and Pink Floyd. His collection of phonograph albums filled the house. He encouraged the musical endeavors of Jeanne and Jackie, as well as their educational pursuits.

He loved to laugh, and his sense of humor ranged from the Three Stooges and Pink Panther movies, the comedy of Saturday Night Live with Bill Murray and Gilda Radner, to Monty Python.

Bill enjoyed family vacations up and down the east coast of the United States, and times spent in Maine; Williamsburg, Virginia; Virginia Beach; and the Outer Banks were favorite memories. He loved flying kites on the beach. Bill and Judy took many cruises in the last few years, with Barcelona an outstanding destination.

For many years, Bill pursued his passion as a hot-air balloon pilot. His favorite trick was to fly low enough over orange groves to pick fruit from the tops of the trees. He'd land with them rolling all over the bottom of the basket.

Bill passed away peacefully on June 18 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters Jeanne Bellochi (John) and Jacqueline Dever (Doug); and four loving grandchildren: Joseph, Allyson, Alexis, and Alyssa.

Bill did not want a formal funeral service, but the family will schedule an informal reception for friends of the family in the next few weeks. Per his request, his ashes will be scattered at sea.