C. Rex

Williams

Dr. C. Rex Williams, formerly of Colorado Springs, passed away at his home in Gold Beach, Oregon, on May 13, 2025.

In 1965, C. Rex Williams, MD, came to Colorado Springs as the first adult psychiatrist at the Colorado Springs Child Guidance Clinic, later to become the Pikes Peak Mental Health Center.

The 1970's and 1980's marked an alarming rise in suicides. A group of concerned therapists, including C. Rex Williams, along with residents, both religious and secular, met to discuss if there were a way to address the problem. An ad-hoc committee spearheaded the idea of setting up a private telephone "call-in line", whereby callers would be connected to a caring personal volunteer, well-screened and trained to answer in a calm caring way, and to listen to the caller in a non-judgmental voice. Offering professional advice was forbidden. Hearing a calm live voice was a helpful start. This service became "The Suicide Prevention Hotline".

Rex Williams joined the Colorado Springs Psychiatric Associates, as a private psychiatrist and practiced as a listening and caring practitioner for many years.

He was an active participating member of First United Methodist Church, and later First Presbyterian Church.

In 1958 C. Rex Williams married Ellie Loechner. (later they divorced). Together they had three children: Erin Swiney (Kenneth), Julie Wolff (Dewey), both of Denver, and Peter, who preceded him in death Sept. 15, 2023.

They have 5 grandchildren: Lauren, Warren, and Joseph Swiney, Erika and Tanner Wolff, and one great-granddaughter Olivia Stewart.

He leaves 2 nieces, Carol and Wendy Williams, and one nephew, Garrett Williams, in Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Bonnie Williams, of Van Wert, OH, and 2 brothers, Robert and David Williams.

He is remembered for his dry sense of humor which always produced a laugh or chuckle.