Little Willie traveled the racing circuit with Tidwell and danced in front of the grandstands for the crowd.
Tidwell lost his hearing during his racing career and was very likely the first totally deaf racecar driver.
They later divorced and in 1963 he married LaTrelle Russ and they had one daughter, Angela "Connie" Tidwell.
At the end of World War II, Tidwell drove a tank in a parade at Columbus, Georgia, escorting General George S. Patton.
His hometown was Macon, Georgia, where he entered many races at the Central City Park racetrack.
According to the Macon newspaper, he was rated as the top driver on the Strictly Stock circuit in the southeast[1] and in his home state, Georgia.
The Macon Telegraph had this to say about Tidwell, "This young blond fellow is completely fearless and has the grit and determination that sets him apart everywhere he goes.
[6] During that race, he drove an Oldsmobile 88, number 102, called the Heart of Georgia Special.
[7] Due to popular demand, Tidwell and his rival, Barney Smith were matched to compete in a special 5-lap winner take all race,[2] held September 11, 1949 at Central City Park Speedway in Macon, Georgia.
Later in years, Charles Tidwell said that the only place he ever wanted to race and never did was Indianapolis, Indiana.
[10] Charles Tidwell's racing memorabilia was on display at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama for ten years and now may be seen at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Georgia.