Bill R. Williams

Bill Williams, 74, of Johnson City, went to be with Our Lord, Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Greystone Healthcare Center in Blountville, TN. Bill was a lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities area, living in Johnson City for the past twenty five years. He was the son of the late Crayton Williams and Norma White Williams of Elizabethton. Bill was a graduate of Elizabethton High School and attended East Tennessee State University, where he majored in Music. A lifelong entrepreneur, he was the owner of Bills Music Shop in Kingsport, from 1971 through 1980, and later founded Creative Publishing Inc. in Johnson City. Bill was best known as the publisher of the areas arts and entertainment weekly The Loafer, which has been in circulation since 1987. A lifelong patron of the arts and talented musician, he built meaningful relationships with high school band directors and their students throughout the Tri-Cities during the 1970s. Bill was committed to bringing live jazz to the Tri-Cities, and sponsored national acts including Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Mercer Ellington and The Billy Taylor Trio. Survivors include former wife Sherrie Rutledge, of Kingsport; sister Jane Clarke of Elizabethton; daughter Jennifer Henson and husband Bill and grand daughters Avery and Bailey of Johnson City; son Rob Williams and wife Sandra and grand sons Clay and Brett of Sudbury, MA. The family of Bill Williams will receive friends from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 7, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The ETSU Arts Initiative, P.O. Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614