A fixture in many homes for several years delivering the news as presumably the most trusted journalist in Knoxville, WBIR anchor emeritus Bill Williams has died.

He died at his home in Knoxville yesterday (Monday) afternoon at the age of 91. He settled into to his new home here in East Tennessee in 1977. He was the consummate professional, storyteller and a man of great faith. He suffered many personal losses in life, losing two sons and his wife. He battled serious illnesses but he never lost faith in God and was always a faithful Christian.

He used that faith in all aspects of his life including his professional career which spanned decades. He created Monday’s Child* which featured special needs children who needed a forever home. Bill met with each child for 30 years, even after his retirement. During that time, close to 1,500 kids were profiled, with more than a thousand of them finding a family. (*courtesy of WBIR)

While reporting on the poverty in the mountains of Appalachia, he inspired the Mission of Hope.

He loved fishing and the outdoors but most of all he loved his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral arrangements have not been released.