The legend of country music, Don Williams | Getty Images
The legend of country music, Don Williams performs during the All for the Hall concert on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA | Mark Humphrey/AP

In less than 24 hours, the news of the death of country music ace, 78-year-old Don Williams, has shattered the social media, recording more than 60 million tweets.

Notable among celebrities that are mourning the award winning country singer is Kenny Rogers, who tweeted: “Sending my sincere and heartfelt prayers to the families & friends of Don Williams’’.

A statement by his publicist, Mr. Kirt Webster, said he Don Williams died on Friday, September 8, 2017 of emphysema.

Williams had a string of hits before retiring in 2016.

His mellow sound influenced a later generation of singers including Joe Nichols and Josh Turner and Keith Urban has said Williams drew him to country music.

Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Joy Bucher; and their two sons, Gary and Timmy, and four grandchildren.

The legend of country music, Don Williams | Getty Images
The legend of country music, Don Williams | Getty Images

Williams, nicknamed ‘the Gentle Giant,’ had a rich voice, gentle delivery and storytelling style. He toured sparingly, did few media interviews and spent much of his time on his farm west of Nashville.

“It’s one of those blessings and curses kind of things,” Williams said in an interview with The Associated Press in 1994.

Some of his hits included I Believe in You, Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good, You’re My Best Friend, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, Till the Rivers All Run Dry and Back in My Younger Days.

At least one duet with Emmylou Harris made the charts, If I Needed You in 1981.

In his tweet, Margo Price, said: “Rest In Peace to the Gentle Giant, Don Williams. Man knew how to burn that slow groove. May have to work up ‘Tulsa Time’ this weekend.’’

Don Williams Keith Urban
Keith Urban, left, and Mr. Williams at a benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2012. | Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Brothers Osborne: “RIP Don Williams. 100% class and spirit. Said so much with so little. He was and will always be a blessing in country music.’’

https://twitter.com/EnekemGreg/status/906431913639936000

https://twitter.com/teddyeugene/status/906388584143486977

Additional reporting by News Agency of Nigeria. 

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