Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams passes away

Sir Charles Othneil Cow Williams, the colourful and outspoken construction magnate whose pioneer road-building, housing and farming developments dominated the Barbadian landscape, has died at age 88.

Sir Charles died Friday evening at the Bayview Hospital surrounded by family and friends, according to relatives.

Williams, rose from humble origins and a single earth-mover to become the nation’s largest private owner of land and the founder of C. O. Williams Construction.

Educated at The Lodge School, Cow Williams built the Williams group of companies with his younger brother, Bizzy,  pioneered construction, mining, dairy farming, horticulture, agriculture, housing, electrical contracting and more.

His business developments and construction spread as far north as Antigua and Barbuda. He also contributed heavily to road building and construction in St Lucia.

Sir Charles also pioneered the growth of polo and was a major owner in horse racing.

He was knighted in 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to Barbados’ development.