The family of Don Williams, the last surviving member of The Williams Brothers quartet, confirmed his death at the age of 100, making him the last of the brothers to pass away. According to reports, the legendary singer, confirmed dead on Friday, December 30, died of natural causes.
The star, who rose to fame performing alongside his brothers Andy Williams, Dick Williams, and Bob Williams in musicals and on radio, was the second oldest in the group.
Don Williams Confirmed Dead By His Wife
Don Williams’s wife, Jeanne Williams, confirmed the icon’s death to The Hollywood Reporter, saying he died at his home in Branson, Missouri. His demise came months after his 100th birthday.
The singer was born in October 1922 to a family filled with singing talents. Their family patriarch, Jay Williams, managed the brothers from their youth. However, their careers kicked off in full force after they signed with MGM. Prior to the signing, Don Williams and his brothers performed on radio stations in states like Iowa, Chicago, and Cincinnati despite their young age.
Their routines growing up involved working mornings on the live radio show in Iowa before heading to school. Their dad always moved the family around to offer them wider coverage so they could perform in bigger cities. Their careers eventually led the quad to Los Angeles, where they snagged the chance to back up Bing Crosby’s Swinging on a Star.
As their career progressed, the group worked on films like The Harvey Girls and Good News as part of the studio choir. They also appeared in the Kansas City Kitty and Janie musicals, among others. Their career as a leading singing group spanned over six decades.
The Rest Of The Williams Brothers Died years Back
Years before Don Williams was reported dead, the other band members also passed on. The youngest of the brothers, Andy Williams, passed away in 2011 at the age of 84, while the oldest, Bob Williams, born in 1981, died in 2003. Dick Williams, born in 1926, four years after Don Williams, died in May 2015 at 91.
Although dead, Don Williams and the rest of the group left a mark in the world of music. Their legacies continue to live on, not only through their kids and grandkids but also through the many lyrics and mindblowing tracks they gifted the world with during their years on earth.
