Charles D. Willett is a Bardstown businessman who was partner in the Lambert Willett and Sons farming business from 1947 to 1950, and established Kentucky Liquor and Wine in Bardstown in 1950. The company merged with House of Nelson in 1965. He was partners in the venture with fellow St. Joe Prep. alumni H.L. Applegate, Donald Keene, and William J. Smith until it was sold to a group of Louisville investors in 1974.

He worked as sales manager and vice-president of the new company until 1988 when he became president. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1994 and has been Chairman of the Board of Kentucky Wine and Sprits since.

His formal education began when he attended Bethlehem Academy at Bardstown from 1931 until 1939. He attended St. Joe Prep. from 1939 until 1943, and Berea College at Berea College at Berea, Ky. from June of 1944 to June of 1945.

He served in the Navy ROTC while attending Central Michigan College, the University of Michigan, and Villanova College between June of 1945 and June of 1947. He graduated from Villanova in 1947 and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. Placed on reserve, he remained in the Navy Rescue until 1959.

He's been president of the St. Joe Prep Alumni, president of the St. Joseph Parish School PTA, chairman of the St. Catherine College Advisory Board, chairman of the Bardstown Planning and Zoning Commission, president of the Bardstown Quarterback Club, director of both the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky and Wholesalers of America, and director of the Berea College Navy AV-12 Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and is the City of Bardstown's representative on the Nelson County Ethics Board.

Charles Willett is a member of St. Joseph Parish at Bardstown and a past member of the parish council and a lector at the church.

He and his wife, Mary Carlile, are the parents of eight children: Prudence W. Kramer, Harriet W. Hancock, Mary Catherine W. Turcotte, Gerard J. Willett, Cecilia W. Hansell, Charles D. Willett Jr., Alexander H.B. Willett.