Charles Louis Anderson, 88 Years, of Olympia, passed away on September 6, 2021.

  

Charles was born on October 25, 1932 to John and Evelyn (Anglemyer) Anderson in Castle Rock, Colorado. He married Wilma Ruby Dingley on October 16, 1954 in Yuma, Arizona. Charles and Wilma met in Bellflower, California on a blind date set up by a close friend.  Wilma and Charles spent 65 wonderful years together. They made their homes in southern California in South Gate, Garden Grove and Norco. Wilma and Charles moved to Washington in 1972 and lived in Centralia, Bucoda, Tenino, Tumwater and Olympia.

 

Charles was known through the years by a few nicknames - “Charlie” “Chuck” and “Andy” - although his children believe his favorite name was “Dad”.  He served in the U. S. Army for over three years stationed mostly in Germany.  After the Army, Charles settled in southern California and began his work as a PBX Installer for Western Electric. After 20 years with Western Electric, he relocated his family to Washington and worked as a Switchman for Tenino Telephone Company for over 22 years, retiring in early 1995.

 

Charles loved the outdoors and living in rural areas. He loved growing gladiolus and sweet peas and for many years tended vegetable gardens and raised chickens, steers, and pigs.

 

Wilma and Charles loved taking their family of six children on camping trips for two weeks every summer, visiting friends, family, state and national parks throughout most of the western states and western Canada. In 1985 they travelled to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. When their children were younger, they camped in tents. In later years they had travel-trailers and motor homes. To celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, Charles and Wilma visited the Hawaiian Islands. In recent years they took a cruise to Alaska.

 

Charles and Wilma were active members of McKenzie Road Baptist Church in Olympia, Washington where Charles served as a Deacon for several years. For a few years after Charles retired in 1995, they were volunteers with Craftsmen for Christ Ministry, helping Churches in Washington, Oregon and California in the construction of church buildings.

 

Charles is survived by his children Larry Anderson; Sandra Anderson; Casey Anderson; Teresa (Rodney) Zimmerman and Renee Anderson; grandchildren Kimberly Fenimore; Kennith Anderson; Lyle Anderson; Julie Whipple; Jason Haase; Marissa Meeks; Jennifer Anderson; Rebecca Metoyer; Crista Anderson; Joseph Zimmerman; Cody Zimmerman and Tori Zimmerman; and 17 great grandchildren. Chuck is also survived by his brothers Donald Anderson, Joseph Anderson, James Anderson and Robert Anderson; sisters Genevieve (Mel) Suelzle, Mary Miller and Patricia Gavin.

 

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Wilma; son Roger Anderson; his father John E. Anderson; his mother Evelyn Anderson; his brothers Richard Anderson and Michael Anderson.

 

Viewing will be on Tuesday, September 14 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary, 205 West Pine Street, Centralia and a graveside service will be held at Forest Grove Cemetery, 18011 Northcraft Road SE, Tenino at 2:00 pm.  Pastor Dan Panter of the McKenzie Road Baptist Church will be officiating.

 

Online condolences can be given at www.newellhoerlings.com.