Charlie
Biography
Carol's husband; transferred from the Arsenal to a missile base in Germany. The passage does not specify his role or whether he was military personnel. Carol and Charlie relocated because of his career. They married in Germany and spent a few years there. Lived with the narrator and Chris in Germany when Mom visited. Began a personal relationship with Carol at a dinner-dance in January 1975. Married her in Berne, Switzerland, on April 30, 1976. Occupation also recorded as “Ammunition inspector for the Department of Defense for twenty-seven years; retired in 1986.” (Carol's Chapter). Oldest of six children. His mother's maiden name was Grace Earhart. His mother was a first cousin to Amelia Earhart; his grandfather and Amelia Earhart's father were brothers. Occupation also recorded as “Worked at the 28th Ordnance Company in Germany, the 31st ADA Brigade at Homestead Air Force Base, and the Rock Island Arsenal.” (Carol's Chapter). The passage describes military workplace assignments without specifying military service status. Shared Carol's pride in Chris's football kicking. Gave Carol swans on their first three anniversaries. Has two daughters from a previous marriage. Lived with Carol and Chris in Germany during Ethel's 1979 visit; participated in the family tour. With Carol and Chris in Mainz in 1979; the group is described as stationed there with the Army. Traveled with the visiting family to Denmark.
Timeline
April 21, 1931
Charlie's birth
Charlie was the oldest of six children.
Carol's Chapter1949
Charlie graduates from high school
Carol's ChapterImmediately after graduating in 1949; the next four years
Charlie's Air Force service
Served four years in the Air Force, one of them in Korea.
Carol's Chapter1959
Charlie earns a geology degree
Attended using the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in geology.
Carol's Chapter1973
Carol begins work at Rock Island Arsenal
Worked for the Department of Defense as a secretary, then budget analyst. Met Charlie while serving as his secretary.
Carol's ChapterJanuary 1975
Carol and Charlie fall in love at a dinner-dance
Sat together and danced; Carol describes instant love.
Carol's ChapterApril 30, 1976
Carol and Charlie marry in Berne
They spent two years overseas.
Carol's ChapterJuly of 1978
Leaving Germany for Florida
After leaving Germany, they were assigned to the 31st ADA Brigade at Homestead Air Force Base, where both worked.
Carol's ChapterSeptember of 1979
Returning to Moline
Returned to Moline after a short stay in Florida.
Carol's ChapterSeptember of 1979
Resuming careers at the Rock Island Arsenal
Both resumed their careers at the Rock Island Arsenal upon returning to Moline.
Carol's Chapter1979
Ethel's cherished European holiday
Bernie sent Ethel to Germany to visit Carol's family, then joined them. They toured Germany and Denmark in a huge government-issued Mercedes.
History of the Guild Family1979
Ethel’s dream trip to Europe
Bernie sent her to visit family stationed in Mainz with the Army, joined her, and traveled with the group to Denmark in a government-issued Mercedes.
History of the Guild Family1986
Charlie retires from the Department of Defense
Retired after twenty-seven years working as an ammunition inspector for the Department of Defense.
Carol's Chapterdate not given
Carol's marriage
Carol married; her husband is later named Charlie.
Dee's Chapterdate not given
Charlie's transfer to Germany
Transferred from the Arsenal to a missile base; Mom visited Germany when he was transferred.
Dee's Chapterdate not given
Carol and Charlie relocate for his career
The poem states that Carol and Charlie relocated because of his career, then describes their marriage and a few years in Germany.
Dee's Chapterdate not given
Carol and Charlie marry in Germany
They married in Germany and spent a few years attending wine festivals, eating brauts, and drinking German lager and stouts.
Dee's ChapterThree months, when Carol, Charlie, and Chris lived in Germany
Mom's three-month visit to Germany
Mom visited for three months. Bernie visited during her stay, and the group traveled throughout Germany, Denmark, and Holland.
Carol's ChapterDuring the years in Germany
Working at neighboring units in Germany
Carol was secretary to the commander of a Nike Hercules Missile Battalion, next door to the 28th Ordnance Company where Charlie worked.
Carol's Chapter7th grade; thirteen years old
Chris's memorable field goal
While playing for the undefeated Coolidge Chiefs football team, Chris kicked what the passage calls the fourth longest field goal in Quad-City football history, twenty-three yards.
Carol's Chapterdate not given
Charlie's previous marriage
Charlie has two daughters, Megan and Paige, from a previous marriage; the spouse is not named.
Carol's Chapter
Stories mentioning Charlie
- Tuesday and Saturday with MomThe narrator recalls Mom's busy senior years, her pride in getting seven children through school, and her family, friends, card parties, and crafts. Carol and the narrator stayed in Moline, married, had a child each, and worked at the Moline Dispatch and a beauty salon respectively. After Daddy died, the narrator cared for Mom on Tuesdays and Carol on Saturdays; both followed similar routines of errands and lunches paid for by Mom. The narrator humorously insists Mom's light auburn hair was natural. Mom traveled to visit children from California to Florida and to Germany after Charlie's transfer. Family contributions included clothes from Bob's boutique and goods from Iris and Bill's Ben Franklin store. The narrative closes with gratitude for Mom's care, strength, and devotion, including keeping ten people fed and dressed.
- Carol, a Sister Always NearDee's affectionate poem celebrates Carol as her childhood playmate and a sister who shares her appearance, mannerisms, and unspoken understanding. She recalls Carol's scooter injury, her skill in cooking, and her marriage and years in Germany with Charlie. The sisters cared together for their mother in her later years, and Dee affirms their enduring closeness despite living miles apart.
- Chris, the Sunshine of Carol's LifeCarol recalls her 1965 marriage to Donald M. Boney, Chris's birth in 1967, and the joy her son brought her. After the 1972 divorce, she and Chris moved in with her Mom. She remembers Don as a supportive father, recounts his Navy Corpsman service and decorations, and records his death after years of cancer.
- A Dance with Charlie and a Wedding AbroadAfter jobs at Moline Daily Dispatch and Franciscan Hospital, Carol began working at Rock Island Arsenal in 1973, first as a secretary and later as a budget analyst. She met Charlie there, but their romance began at a January 1975 dinner-dance. They married in Berne, Switzerland, on April 30, 1976, and spent two years overseas.
- Charlie's Path from Kansas to a Career of ServiceCarol recounts Charlie's birth in Troy, Kansas, his place as the oldest of six children, and his mother's family connection to Amelia Earhart. After high school, Charlie served four years in the Air Force, including a year in Korea. He then used the GI Bill to earn a geology degree at the University of Kansas and worked twenty-seven years as a Department of Defense ammunition inspector before retiring in 1986.
- Happy Years in the Rhine River ValleyCarol remembers life in Ingelheim as the happiest time of her life. She and Charlie worked at neighboring military units, while Chris attended school, learned German, and enjoyed sports. Her memories include skiing, castles, the Fasching Parade, wine festivals, weekend markets, European vacations, and visits and touring with Mom and Bernie.
- A Short Florida Stay and a Return to MolineAfter leaving Germany in July 1978, Carol and Charlie worked at the 31st ADA Brigade at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. They returned to Moline in September 1979 and resumed their careers at the Rock Island Arsenal.
- Chris: Backyard Friendships, Soccer, and a Life in MusicCarol's determination to live in the Coolidge school district placed Chris near three boys who became lifelong friends. His enthusiasm for soccer led to memorable football kicks and the captaincy of Moline Senior High School's first soccer team. At Northern Illinois University, he turned toward guitar and a college band while earning his degree. He later released a CD, founded a record company, supported local musicians, wrote music journalism, and compiled a family recipe book presented at the 1999 reunion.
- Phase Two: Sunshine, Church Friends, and SwansAfter retiring from the Rock Island Arsenal in October 1993, Carol describes moving to Florida in July 1995 and enjoying a slower life in North Port. Church friendships, reading, keyboard playing, and Christmas ornament making fill her retirement. A swan collection begun with Charlie's anniversary gifts has grown to more than one hundred through gifts from family and friends.
- Grandchildren, Joy, and the Gift of EncouragementCarol identifies Charlie's daughters Megan and Paige and their children. She reflects on the joy her grandchildren bring and the laughter, curiosity, wonder, and patience they have taught her. She hopes to make them feel loved and a little spoiled while encouraging them to try new things, take risks, and explore life.
- Three Wonderful Months Together in EuropeMom spent three months visiting Carol, Charlie, and Chris in Germany, a highlight of her life. Bernie also visited, and the group traveled throughout Germany, Denmark, and Holland. Favorite stops included Anne Frank's house and hideaway in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum with Rembrandt's Night Watch, Tivoli Gardens where ten-year-old Chris got lost, The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, and Hans Christian Andersen's home and the Museum in Odense, Denmark.
- Brownie’s Dancing Days and a Lifetime of MotheringDespite grief at home and being refused a college education, Ethel found happiness in friends, dancing, and work. Mary Hill introduced her to Floyd, whom she married in 1928. Together they raised seven children, while Ethel survived a serious goiter and worked several jobs. In widowhood she enjoyed crafts, cards, grandchildren, and travel, including a cherished 1979 European holiday funded by Bernie. She died during a visit to Diana in 1988, remembered for her unqualified love.
- Cards, Christmas Ornaments, and a Long-Awaited European JourneyWidowed Ethel maintained a full life of handcrafts, Christmas ornament making, evening cards and helping family members after divorces. She visited Diana in Florida annually. In 1979 Bernie fulfilled her dream of Europe with a visit to Carol, Charlie and Chris in Mainz and a family trip to Denmark. Ethel died during her 1988 Florida visit and was buried beside Floyd, with an incorrect birth year on her headstone that had never troubled her.
Referenced in
- Dee's Chapter — EASTER
- Dee's Chapter — TO CAROL
- Carol's Chapter — OTHER THINGS I REMEMBER ABOUT MOM
- Carol's Chapter — LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
- Carol's Chapter — CHARLIE
- Carol's Chapter — GERMANY
- Carol's Chapter — CHRIS
- Carol's Chapter — MY GRANDCHILDREN
- History of the Guild Family — ETHEL KATHERINE WILLIAMS
- History of the Guild Family — ETHEL KATHERINE WILLIAMS
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