Andy Williams, 84, who sang the famous, "Moon River" passed away Tuesday night after a year-long battle with bladder cancer.
Williams who performed since childhood became part of the Williams Brothers Quartet at the age of eight with his brothers. In 1951 the then 24-year-old handsome young man moved to New York and became a regular performer on "The Tonight Show" with Steve Allen.
He then landed a recording contract and went on the win five grammy nominations and 17 gold and three platinum records during his 25 year tenure with Capital Records. His biggest break was "Moon River" which was on Audrey's Hepburn's iconic movie, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and made the song and its singer a household name.
Williams also starred in his own Emmy-winning show for nine years, "The Andy Williams Show" which debuted in 1962. In 1960 Williams met a beautiful "Folies Bergere" showgirl from Paris, Claudine Longet, and was married to her for 14 years.
Longet shot and killed her lover, Spider Sabich in 1976 and said it was accident. She only spent a week in jail and Williams stood by her side, testifying on her behalf while providing support for their children Christian, Noelle and Robert.
Longet was charged with misdemeanor criminal negligence and served a 30 day sentence. In Williams' 2009 memoir he recalled the trial and how he accompanied his ex-wife on a daily basis and has continued to defend her innocence.
Williams remarried Debbie Haas in 1991, and they divided their time between Palm Springs and Branson, Missouri where he has appeared at his Andy Williams Moon River Theater since 1992.
He leaves behind his wife Debbie and three children.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
