Obituaries

Harold Gene Williams

Photo of Harold Gene Williams
Gene Williams, of Sherwood, Ark., founder and host of the Gene Williams Country Television show died unexpectantly on Wednesday afternoon, December 14. Harold Gene Williams was born January 3, 1938 in Tyronza to Rubel and Elease Hughes Williams. His grandparents were James Albert and Unis Williams and Robert and Elizabeth Hughes. Gene grew up and attended school in Dyess, AR where his schoolmates included the country music legend Johnny Cash. Williams' 50 plus year career in country music began as a DJ for KWAM in West Memphis in 1957. In 1961, he was named the Grand Ole Opry DJ of the year. The Gene Williams Country Junction Show began its live broadcast in 1963 on the new Jonesboro television station KAIT-8. A special on the station's 30th anniversary several years ago credited Gene's show with helping the new station stay on the air since it was the show that generated the bulk of advertising revenue. Gene Williams and the Country Junction Band opened tours for the Johnny Cash Show which included Carl Perkins, the Carter Family and Statler Brothers. One of these tours included the famous recording of Folsom Prison Blues live in Folsom Prison. Williams also was an entrepreneur and promoter. Over the years he had owned and operated movie theaters in several Arkansas communities. He also owned and operated KHAM radio in Horseshoe Bend where his live country music shows featured country stars such as Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Johnny Paycheck, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, Carl Smith and Mickey Gilley to name a few. Mr. Williams was also editor and publisher of the former Mid-South Trucker's News and Ozark News. His Gene Williams House of Talent was the booking agent for many Grand Ole Opry stars of the 1960-70's and included such artists as Jack Greene, Del Reeves, Johnny Carver, Ronnie Sessions, Claude King and Tommy Cash. He was also a distributor for Lucas Oil Products. Forrest Lucas, the founder of Lucas Oil, and Gene had a friendship and business association for over 20 years. Lucas Oil Products was the main sponsor of Gene's television show. The Gene Williams Country Music Television show is taped live in Branson, Mo. and has been aired on 173 stations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Ed McMahon of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson was a friend and announcer for the show until his death. The show featured Branson performers and country stars such as Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Roy Clark, the Oak Ridge Boys and many others. The show was the recipient of four 2007 Telly Awards. His endeavors in the music industry resulted in being named to the George D. Hay (founder of the Grand Ole Opry) Music Hall of Fame. Gene has the distinction of having eight different days proclaimed "Gene Williams Day" by five different Arkansas governors, including former President Bill Clinton. He mixed his love of country music and politics by providing musical entertainment for the political rallies of such diverse candidates as Winthrop Rockefeller and Justice Jim Johnson. Mr. Williams had invested heavily in the Dyess community in recent years to help preserve the rich history of the area. He made major contributions to help restore the Dyess Colony Community Building. A street in the town bears his name and he was currently serving as a city council member. While country music was his passion, he also had a strong love for Razorback Basketball and the LA Dodgers. Williams is predeceased by his parents previously mentioned. Surviving him are his two sons, Glen (Donna) Williams of Dallas and Robert Williams of Little Rock; four daughters, Debbie (Bo) Plyler of Little Rock, Donna (Stan) Barrett of Memphis, Gena (Shaun) Wright of Haworth, Okla., Jackye Palmer of Benton; 10 grandchildren: Kathryn Williams of Napa, Calif.; Megan Williams of Dallas; Blake and Anna Kathleen Plyler of Little Rock; Austin Barrett of Memphis; Gage Williams of Little Rock; Britton, KateLeigh, and Grayson Wright of Haworth Okla., and Will Palmer of Broken Bow, Okla. Also surviving him are his brother Jimmy (Billie) Williams of Marion, Ark. and Judy (Jerry) Jernigan of Osceola, Ark., numerous relatives, friends and long-time family/business friend, Leroy Ware of McAlmont. Funeral services will be Saturday December 17 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. Visitation is Friday, December 16, 5-7p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Potter's Cemetery in Lepanto, Ark. Memorials may be made to donor's charity of choice. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.

Published December 16, 2011

Upcoming Events