Country great Don Williams dies aged 78

Don Williams Harmony: his only album to have reached No 1 on the US Country Albums chart

The highly acclaimed singer, songwriter and Country Music Hall of Famer, affectionately known as the ‘Gentle Giant’, has passed away

American country singer, songwriter and 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Don Williams passed away on Friday 8 September at the age of 78 years old. The sad news was released by the singer’s PR company and a message posted on his official Facebook profile. The announcement confirmed his death “after a short illness,” adding that funeral arrangements are pending.

He grew up in Portland, Texas, and graduated in 1958 from Gregory-Portland High School. After seven years with the folk-pop group Pozo-Seco Singers, he began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 chart-topping country hits.

Some of Williams’ best known songs include You’re My Best Friend, Tulsa Time, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, Back In My Younger Days and Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.

Williams’ unique blend of commanding presence and that laid-back, easy style earned him the nickname ‘Gentle Giant’, appealing to adult men and women alike — cutting across national and genre boundaries.

In March 2016, after six decades as a dominating country hitmaker, Williams decided to hang up his guitar and retire from touring, and all public life.

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