Charles Ray Timm

Charles R. Timm
The West Texas Fiddler has hung up his fiddle and bow and gone to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born October 10, 1933 to Charles H. and Ida Timm in San Angelo, Texas, Charles “Charlie” Ray Timm transitioned to heaven on May 30, 2026 at age 92.

Charlie grew up on a 160-acre cotton farm in Veribest, Texas with three brothers and four sisters. He was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Betty “Betsy” Lou Timm; his parents; all his siblings, with the exception of his 91-year-old sister, Ida Mae Smith; and the mother of his children, Elizabeth Ann Sitas.

He is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Leslie Keever, and Carolyn Timm-Kistler and James Kistler, along with one granddaughter, Kaycie Timm. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Benny, Ricky, Debra, and Steven Smith; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Up until the final days of his life, he remained in frequent contact with his family and cherished every opportunity to visit with them.

In addition to picking cotton in his early years, Charlie drove tractors for other farmers in the area and, at age 17, found a job at a San Angelo service station. He joined the Navy in 1956 and was subsequently stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. While there, he led the NCO Band at Pearl Harbor and had the honor of serving as a stand-in fiddle player with Ray Price’s band. Nicknamed “Chili Ray”, this self-taught fiddler, guitar player, and banjo picker began playing the fiddle at age 12. Over the years, he led several bands, performing Country/Western, Bluegrass, and Gospel music across Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas. He was known for his unique tenor voice, talent for harmony, memorable renditions of George Jones songs and other country classics, and the many songs he authored. When Charlie was inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame on May 27, 2000, he proudly invited his 3-year-old granddaughter, Kaycie, on stage to sing with him.

In his younger days, Charlie played music with his brother, Milton. He later performed on radio and television stations in San Angelo with his friend and fellow musician, Dave Kirby, who went on to become a renowned songwriter. As his music career progressed, Charlie formed a band with his longtime singing partner, Donnie Duncan. The pair performed across numerous states and went on to lead several bands together.

Over the years, Charlie met, accompanied, and shared the stage with musicians including Bluegrass Solutions Band, Buck Owens, Dailey and Vincent, Elvis Presley, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves , Lewis Elliott, The Louvin Brothers, Mo Pitney, The Osborne Brothers, Rhonda Vincent, The Seikers, and Willie Nelson.

For 22 years, Charlie worked for The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in San Angelo. After retiring in 1987, he moved to his beloved creek property in Junction, Texas, where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, driving his UTV, tending his garden, and raising worms, which he sold to fishing enthusiasts around the area.

Charlie and Betsy spent their mornings outside drinking coffee and visiting while watching wildlife along the creek and around their property. He shared his love of music and the outdoors with everyone who visited, taking family and friends fishing and hunting, sitting around a campfire, frying fish, shelling pecans, and playing and singing music together.

Later in life, Charlie moved into town, where he made nightly rounds in his truck, visiting friends and neighbors throughout Junction. He used his musical talents to glorify God by playing and singing with Pastor Daniel Henderson at various church programs. He spent many hours searching for answers to Biblical questions that can now be fully revealed to him in his heavenly home. Though he will be deeply missed, Charlie's legacy will live on through the music he shared, the people he mentored, and the faith he instilled in others.

A summer memorial service is being planned and details will be announced at a later date on this website.

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