The Tribune

CHARLES Carter, the Reverend Canon Basil Tynes and Bishop Washington Williams were among the 40 ‘fabulous fathers’ recently honoured by Mount Tabor Full Gospel Church to mark the 40th Anniversary of Independence. The Tribune is publishing profiles of all the fathers who were honoured.

EDWARD Charles Carter is the eldest son of the late Harcourt and Mary Carter, of Augusta Street Nassau where he grew up in a large family of six boys and two girls. His father, who was a successful businessman, had unique ideas about everything and one of those things was to give all his sons the same middle name; and just for the record the girls were Maria Cecelia and Madeline Cecelia. Edward Charles, the one we know as Charles Carter, was born on April 13, 1943. Charles Carter went to St John’s College, Nassau and later graduated from Rhodes School in New York. He entered New York University in 1961 where he studied Business Administration in the Bachelor of Science Programme, he then went to Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto, Canada where in 1969 he obtained a degree in broadcast management, and then went on to complete his studies in 1974 at the University of Manchester, England where he obtained a certificate with distinction in public administration.

In 1964, he joined the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas as a radio announcer, a position he held for seven years. In 1970, he was promoted to programme director and directed a staff of 15 announcers. In 1976, he was elevated to the position of assistant general manager and was responsible for the setting up of the television service. Two years later, he was appointed general manager of television, responsible for a staff of 70 employees and the national television of the Bahamas.

Mr Carter’s impact on the community was made through broadcasting: first in radio as the host of the ‘Young Bahamian Show’ and later on television where he hosted ‘Focus’ the first ever Bahamian television series. He was also the voice for the majority of the national events including independence.

He was elected to the House of Assembly in 1982 and served for ten years as the member from the Holy Cross Constituency. Mr Carter created Carter Marketing in 1993 with sons Eddie and Mark, a company that organises the advertising and public relation interests of a number of businesses in the Bahamas. In late 1999, he was granted a licence to open a radio station. Charles Carter is married to the former Muriell Willhite of South Bend, Indiana.

THE Reverend Canon Basil L Tynes was born to Aidan and Rodella Tynes and went to St Anne’s Primary, Fox Hill, Queen’s College, Meisterschaft College, Toronto, and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, where he got his Bachelors in Science (Biology), the University of the West Indies, where he attained a Bachelors in Arts in Theology and the University of McGill, Montreal, where he got his Masters in Sacred Theology.

In January 1987 he was ordained to the Deaconate - Holy Trinity Church, Stapledon Gardens, New Providence, Bahamas and a year after to the Priesthood - Christ Church Cathedral.

He has been a Religious Studies teacher at the Bahamas Government High School, a chaplin, a parish priest, a Scout leader and Chairman of the Commission on Mission, Renewal, and Ministry.

He married the former Sonia L. Evans of Highland Park, New Providence, on April 21 1989 and the couple have two Sons, Benjavarae and Christos.

He has penned a number of books and attended several international religious events as a speaker.

BISHOP Washington Williams affectionately known as “(Lil Wash)” is the ninth child born to his proud parents Mr. Oswald (deceased) and Mrs Manvella Williams (deceased). He is married to Reverend Petrina Williams.

Lil Wash is the former lead singer, since retired of The Fabulous Cooling Waters, one of the oldest Gospel singing groups in existence.

After celebrating their 40th anniversary the group was no longer called he Fabulous but was rebranded ‘The Legendary.’

Lil Wash was awarded Male Vocalist of the Year in 1982, 1983 and 1986, Best Group Leader in 1983 and 1996 and was given a Lifetime Achievement Legend Award in 1998.

On March 29, 1998 he was inducted to the Bahamas Living Legend Hall of Fame for his Gospel singing throughout the Caribbean and the world.

On April 5, 1988, New Canaan Zion Baptist Church was established where Lil Wash took over the Pastorate.

On November 15, 2000, he was consecrated as a Presiding Bishop at the Mt Sinai Pentecostal Church in Fort Lauderdale and he was also elected as Vice President of the Grand Bahama Christian council January 2004 to January 2006.

Bishop Washington Williams was elected as National Director of Evangelism for the entire Zion United Baptist Convention.