Don Williams – the final surviving member of the unique Williams Brothers quartet – has died on the age of 100.
The singer’s passing was confirmed by his widow, Jeanne, who informed The Hollywood Reporter that he died at his residence in Branson, Missouri, on Friday (January 6). His demise was owed to “pure causes”.
Like his brothers Andy, Dick and Bob, Don was born within the Iowan metropolis of Wall Lake. He was the second oldest Williams brother – born on October 9, 1922 – and was 16 when the household group began performing within the late ‘30s. Managed by their father Jay, the brothers minimize their enamel in radio, singing stay for Des Moines’ WHO, Chicago’s WLS and Cincinnati’s WLW.
The early ‘40s noticed The Williams Brothers make their pivot into movie; they moved to Los Angeles in 1943 and, whereas contracted on the MGM studio, made appearances in movies like Janie (1944), Kansas Metropolis Kitty (1944), Women’ Man (1947) and One thing In The Wild (1947).
Additionally in 1944, the group linked up with Bing Crosby and minted the hit ‘Swinging On A Star’. This led them to ascertain a profitable nightclub act, touring alongside Kay Thompson from 1947 to 1951. The brothers subsequently cut up their band, however reunited yearly – from 1962 till 1990 – for The Andy Williams Christmas Particular.
Bob was the primary Williams brother to go, dying at age 84 in September of 2003. He was adopted by Andy (who additionally died at 84) in September of 2012, after which Dick (aged 91) in Could of 2018.
In addition to Jeanne, Don is survived by his sons Andrew and David. They too carried out as The Williams Brothers between the Seventies and Nineties, finest identified for his or her Billboard Sizzling 100 hits ‘Can’t Cry Arduous Sufficient’ and ‘What’s Your Identify’.
