Charles Fuller

WASHINGTON – Charles Calvin Fuller, 70, of Washington, IL, passed away at 4:40 pm Friday, November 16, 2007 at his home. Born on April 4, 1937 in Bowling Green, KY to Ray Calvin and Evelyn Whitaker Fuller, he married Betty Buckley on December 1, 1963 at the First Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. Charles is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Betty, and their three sons, Calvin (Jenny) of Edwardsville, IL, Brad (Cathy) of Washington, IL, and Clay of Plymouth, MI, 4 grandchildren, Lauren, Zach, and Chloe of Edwardsville and Layla of Washington. He is also survived by 1 sister, Lezlee Jo (Denny) Byrd of Williamsburg, KY and 1 nephew, Brandon Byrd of Williamsburg. His parents preceded him in death. Charles was an outstanding all-around athlete. He attended Tulane University and Western Kentucky University, playing football at both colleges. Although he was drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates, Charles chose to continue his professional career in the newspaper business. He worked for the Louisville Courier-Journal as an Assistant Circulation Manager and also as an Assistant Production Manager for 13 years. In 1972, he accepted a job as the Circulation Manager for the Peoria Journal Star and then moved his family to Washington, IL. In 1979, he opened his first restaurant in Washington, Charlie’s. He later opened Champs and C.C. Fuller’s. Charles was the co-inventor of Safe-Base, the orange and white first base you see at baseball and softball games throughout North America. An interest in land development turned into his passion and professional career. He was the owner of Creekwood Land Development. As a volunteer for the Washington Recreation Association he taught and coached the youth of Washington in all sports. Charlie’s favorite quote was “I never met a kid that I didn’t like”. He was instrumental in creating the 12th Man Organization in 1982, which continues to support the Washington Panther Football Program. He was a member of the Izaak Walton League for many years, and also served on the Washington Community High School Board for several years. Charlie will be remembered for his giving spirit, his love of fishing in Canada, and his deer sausage at Christmas time. He also loved to tell stories of his life in his home state of Kentucky. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa who truly enjoyed his family. A service of remembrance will be at 7 pm Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington. Visitation will be 3 hours prior to services, from 4-7 pm. Burial will be private at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Charlie’s name to the Washington Recreation Association. It was Charlie’s hope to encourage the youth of Washington to participate in athletics and practice good sportsmanship.

Charles Fuller

April 4, 1937 - November 16, 2007