Williams-Sonoma Statement on Death of Founder Charles E. "Chuck" Williams at 100

Charles E. "Chuck" Williams, founder and director emeritus of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

, has died of natural causes, the company announced today. The retail and culinary icon who ignited America's passion for cooking and desire for high quality cookware was 100 years-old. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151205005060/en/ Chuck Williams, in 1953, stands in the downtown Sonoma hardware shop he converted into the first Williams-Sonoma store. (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. Williams' personal love of cooking and entertaining, coupled with his belief that professional and home cooks should have access to high-quality cookware and tools, inspired him to open his first Williams-Sonoma store in 1956 in Sonoma, California. From his stores, and the popular catalog and cookbooks