Don Williams Passes

Don Williams, the Country Music Hall of Fame member who became known as the “Gentle Giant” for his laid-back tunes, died Sept. 8. He was 78.

– Don Williams
Shown here in an undated photo.

The Texas native rose to fame with 1973’s “The Shelter of Your Eyes.” Williams would top the charts for the remainder of the decade, with songs such as “It Must Be Love,” “Tulsa Time,” and “She Never Knew Me.” He got his biggest hit with 1981’s “I Believe In You.”

He stayed in the spotlight into the new millennium, collaborating with contemporary country artists like Keith Urban and Alison Krauss.

In 2016, Williams decided to retire. “It’s time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quite time at home. I’m so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support,” he said at the time.

He was also the subject of the 2017 tribute album Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, which included performances that ranged from Garth Brooks to Lady Antebellum.