Construction pioneer developed multiple businesses, became largest landowner

Sir Charles Othneil Cow Williams, the iconic construction magnate whose pioneer road-building, housing and farming developments transformed the Barbadian landscape over six decades, has died, four days short of his 89th birthday.

He died on Friday evening at the Bayview Hospital with his wife Mary-Ann, Lady Williams and brother Ralph Bizzy Williams at his side, according to relatives.

From humble origins as a plantation manager’s son and with a single earth-mover, Sir Charles rose to become the nation’s largest private owner of land and the founder of C. O. Williams Construction.

Along the way, COW Williams became a household name noted for his colourful personality, plain speaking and often controversial opinions.

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

His land developments, mining and construction projects spread as far north as Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. He also contributed heavily to road building and construction in St Lucia.

Among his premier developments are firsts in Barbadian real estate, including the Millennium Heights gated community in St Thomas and the Port St Charles Marina in St Peter.

Many plantation acquisitions were diverted from sugar production to dairy farming and real estate development. His last major project was the Apes Hill Golf Club which included polo field and one-acre-size exclusive residential properties.

A major owner and champion racehorse breeder, he also led the growth of organised polo in Barbados, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest active polo player.

In an immediate response, Prime Minister Mia Mottley declared it would be a gross understatement to say that Barbados has lost an entrepreneur extraordinaire with a hand in almost every facet of the country’s development and economic life, who had an undying devotion to, and love of, country.

She said: “Sir Charles was passionate about Barbados, C.O. Williams Construction, the company he built from the ground up with his sweat and tears, as well as the fact that in several islands of the region, his motto ‘We move the earth to please’, is as familiar as it is in Barbados.

“But above all, he was a unique man, small in stature, with a huge personality and presence that filled any room he entered. Barbados will certainly miss his vision, his spirit, his generosity and the very down-to-earth way he defended his country.”

The Barbadian leader suggested that whether or not one knew him personally or agreed with his stance on any particular topic, there was no denying that Sir Charles did things his way.

Mottley continued: “Known across the region simply as “COW”, he moved the earth to please with airports in the Bahamas and Bequia, an oil terminal and highways in St. Lucia, and a hydroelectric dam in Dominica. At home, some of the most recognised development projects, included Port St. Charles Marina, Millennium Heights and Apes Hill golf and polo developments.”

The Prime Minister pointed out that while Sir Charles blazed a trail in construction, property development and just about every aspect of farming, at the same time building a formidable record of success in manufacturing, the son of St. John was never afraid to speak his mind.

“When he felt it necessary, he did not hesitate to take to the radio call-in programmes even when his intervention attracted strong criticism,” Mottley recalled. “Never deterred, until the very end he would lend his voice to the issue of the day — a feature that characterised his approach to his businesses, as he only retired as Chairman of the C.O. Williams Group of Companies in December last year at the age of 88.”

Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley acknowledged Sir Charles as more than a builder of structures, but also a significant contributor to the exercise of nation-building.

He said: “A landowner of some prominence, he clearly understood the value of land as it relates to the matter of wealth creation. Clearly not only in the area of infrastructural development but in the vitally important business of agricultural production. Barbados stands indebted to him for providing for many families over many years by the creation of employment opportunities.

“Sir Charles Williams obviously was possessed of a sufficient confidence in our enterprise of nation-building as to invest significantly in our economy. His contribution to regional development in this regard is also to be hailed.”

He also commended the business icon for his “fair and frank” expression of opinion in matters under public debate.

The Peoples Party for Democracy and Development leader said: “There are some whose image of themselves is large and their presence loud in letting that be known. My impression of him was that on the spectrum of such things, he was much closer to the point of humility and earthiness than haughtiness.  His was a contribution to this country and its people worthy of our most generous salute.”

In his tribute, prominent supermarket entrepreneur Andrew Bynoe said Sir Charles inspired him as a businessman.

Bynoe, a 40-year veteran in the corporate community described the construction icon as a “worker and no-nonsense fellow”.

“He applauded those who themselves put in hard work. He was the first to say that he was not born with a gold spoon in his mouth. He did not hide his origins; and that was something that obviously inspired many other persons, including business persons like myself,” the Carlton and A1 Supermarkets managing director told Barbados TODAY.

Bynoe said it was with deep sadness that he joined with others to mourn Sir Charles’s death, recognising what he stood for and what he achieved through hard work.

He also expressed condolences to his family.

Waste hauler and recycling entrepreneur Anderson “Fat Child” Cherry in extending “deepest” condolences to the Williams family in their moment of grief, categorized Sir Charles as an asset to the development of Barbados and its well-being.

Cherry told Barbados TODAY: “I first met Sir Charles when I was 16 years old and now starting out in business. I remember going to his office seeking advice about the business world and being changed forever. The wisdom and mentorship he provided to me throughout my career has shaped me to be the man I am today.

“He was a mentor, an icon and a visionary. A man with a heart of gold and a personality that loved life. He will be truly missed.”

Charles Othneil Williams was born on November 24, 1932 at Ashford Plantation, St John, where his father worked as estate manager.

An early life-changing experience was witnessing his family’s eviction from the manager’s quarters when his father was dismissed.

In subsequent interviews, he credited his life-long thirst for land ownership to his mother, declaring that since acquiring a taste for land ownership he could not stop.

In 2020, he led the celebrations of his C.O. Williams Construction Company’s 60th anniversary. Beginning in 1960 with a single bulldozer, he later credited early work from then Premier Errol Barrow for the awarding of contracts as the company moved from earthmover to building contractor to road builder.

Sir Charles was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2000 for his contribution to agriculture, construction, tourism and sports.

He is survived by his wife, Mary-Anne Lady Williams, sons Teddy and Stephen, daughter Linda, and younger brother Ralph Bizzy Williams, himself a leading industrialist and entrepreneur.
(emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb)