Charles Marshall Waddell, a beloved family man and local government leader who served King William County and the Tidewater area for nearly three decades, died August 14, 2026, in Woodbridge, Virginia. He was 89.
Waddell, who was King William County’s first County Administrator from 1972 to 1983, is best remembered for establishing a modern county government in King William. He left King William County in much better shape than he found it – a philosophy he carried with him throughout his life, both personally and professionally.
Before he arrived, the county had no dedicated office space, no formal accounting procedures nor a building code – all of which he quickly put in place. Waddell wore many hats, both literally and figuratively. When he resigned his post in 1983, the county lost not only its administrator, but also its planning director, personnel officer, secretary to the Industrial Development Authority and a leader who had assumed numerous other responsibilities.
Among his proudest accomplishments were leading the establishment of a sanitary landfill system, overseeing construction of a new administrative office complex behind the old courthouse, and forming a regional committee to protect the county’s rights to the Pamunkey River – a body of water where he and his son spent many hours fishing together.
Waddell was also proud of the relationships he helped strengthen with law enforcement and emergency services. His efforts included helping establish a regional jail in Saluda that served five counties and securing much-needed resources for the King William County Sheriff’s Office. Waddell enjoyed his many working relationships turned friendships with his Board of Supervisors and county employees including the Sherriff, Jim Wolford and the Chairman of the Board, Ben Skinner.
A warm and affable Virginia gentleman, with an accent that honored his West Virginia roots, Charles enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, fishing and woodworking.
He was born in Pemberton, West Virginia, and moved with his family to North Carolina and South Carolina before returning to Sophia, West Virginia, where he graduated from high school in the late 1950s. He briefly served in the U.S. Navy and also studied civil engineering at Mayo Technical College in Paintsville, Kentucky, and later at West Virginia University.
Shortly thereafter, Charles moved to the Hampton Roads area with his brother Jack. His first big professional break came as a city planner for Hampton, followed by service as an assistant administrator in York County. In 1967, Charles married the former Hazel “Haley” Lee Brewer in a ceremony officiated by his brother Jack in Middlesex County. Together, Charles and Haley raised their son, Dan, in Yorktown, Aylett and West Point until Dan left for college in 1988.
Since December 2023, Charles had resided in an assisted living community in Woodbridge, Virginia, allowing him to be close to his son and family. There, he frequently regaled nurses and fellow residents with stories from his life and spoke proudly of his grandchildren, drawing on the gift of gab, sharp wit and dry sense of humor for which he was always known.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Haley; his brothers, Jack and Rhea; and his sisters, Nancy, Mary, Louise and Kathleen. He is survived by his son, Dan; daughter-in-law, Caren; three grandchildren, Avery, Jason and Taylor; his sister, Gale; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and other members of the Waddell family.
A celebration of Charles’s life will be held Friday, August 21, at Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, West Point, Virginia. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a service at noon officiated by his nephew, the Rev. Craig Waddell. A private family burial will take place at a later date.
In recognition of his lasting commitment to King William County and his historic service as its first County Administrator, those wishing to honor his memory may consider making a memorial contribution to the King William County Historical Society.
Those wishing to honor Charles’s love of Virginia’s outdoors and wildlife may also make a memorial contribution to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources in support of wildlife conservation.
Flowers may also be sent to Vincent Funeral Home.
