Legendary Country Music Singer Don Williams Dies At 78

Don Williams, the country singer and Nashville songwriter best known for his 1981 hit ballad I Believe in You, has died at home in Alabama aged 78.

According to BBC, the singer’s publicist confirmed that he passed away on Friday at his home in Alabama after a short illness.

Williams kicked off his career in 1971 and would become a household name all over the world following his hit songs which include, You’re My Best Friend, I Believe in You, I Hope This Day is Good, Gypsy Woman and Tulsa Time, many of which earned him 17 number one country hits.

The Texan native went on to inspire other artistes including singers like Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend, who covered Williams’ songs.

His hits included I Believe in You, Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good, You’re My Best Friend, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, and Till the Rivers All Run Dry. Eric Clapton recorded his We’re More Than Friends and Pete Townshend redid his Til the Rivers All Run Dry.

“Don Williams offered calm, beauty, and a sense of wistful peace that is in short supply these days,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, in a statement Friday. “His music will forever be a balm in troublesome times.”

He missed his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010 because he had bronchitis. His last studio album came out in 2014 and he was the subject of a tribute album this year that included performances of his hits by Lady Antebellum, Garth Brooks and Chris Stapleton.