- He was nicknamed 'The Gentle Giant' thanks to his trademark mellow sound
- Don Williams’ final performance was in 2016
Country music star Don Williams has died at the age of 78.
The Hall of Fame member has sadly died after a short illness, leaving the country music world in shock.
The Tulsa Time singer was known as one of the most distinctive song stylists in the business.
Born in Texas in 1939, he grew up in Portland where music was always a big part of his life.
He was clearly destined for success from an early age, winning a talent contest when he was just three years old. The prize was an alarm clock.
He went on to become well-known for his many hit songs, including You're My Best Friend, Love Me Over Again, and I'm Just A Country Boy.
Don started playing guitar in his teens, learning songs that he'd heard on the radio and began playing with his friends in local bands around the area.
He tied the knot in 1960, marrying sweetheart Joy Bucher, and went on to have two sons, Gary and Timmy.
Don worked hard to support his family, taking several odd jobs such as oil field work and bill collecting.
Then in 1964, he formed folk trio The Pozo Seco Singers with pals Lofton Cline and Susan Taylor.
They played together for seven years and had a hit with Time.
After disbanding in 1969, Don found his way to Nashville and in 1971, earned a song writing contract with a publishing company owned by Jack Clement.
The following year saw him land a record deal with Clement's JMI Records and he made his debut in the charts in 1973 with track The Shelter of Your Eyes.
His laid-back sound compared to the other artists around in Nashville at the time saw him enter the charts time and time again.
And from that point, through to 1991, every single he released hit the Top 40 Billboard County charts.
He slowed down his output of records in the 80s and by this time had earned the nickname 'The Gentle Giant' thanks to his trademark mellow sound.
His final top ten hit came in 1991 with Lord Have Mercy On A CountryBoy.
Don played his final tour in 2006, and in 2010 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He returned to the spotlight in 2012 with a new album, And So It Goes, and in 2014 with Reflections, which included contributions from stars Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss.
Don gave his final performance in 2016, saying: "It's time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I'm so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support."
