Claude Williams, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on January 20th, seven days after the passing of his loving wife of 70 years, Charlotte Leverett Williams.

In his 95 years, Claude was a true media entrepreneur in radio and publishing, though we all knew him best as an owner of Georgia Outdoor and his partnership in Allison Outdoor Advertising in Sylva, N.C.

Insider spoke with Gary Ayers, President of Aliison Outdoor and he shared these reflections.

Claude Williams had the most brilliant financial and strategic mind for building and growing Outdoor Advertising markets that I have ever been associated with. Besides being my mentor and friend for over twenty-seven years, Claude mentored and supervised growth in OOH markets of Athens, Gainesville, Rome, and  Macon, Ga. through his ownership in Georgia Outdoor and here in Western North Carolina and North Georgia with Allison Outdoor.

Claude was a true pioneer in other advertising areas as he started the first radio station in Athens along with being a founder of the first newspaper in the same market while giving Lewis Grizzard, among others, his first job in media.

One of Claude’s passions, besides his family and his many business ventures, was golf as he had a phenomenal string of attending The Masters for 70 consecutive years.

Claude has contributed and supported so many civic and community projects over his 95+ years space would not allow. Being awarded the GOAA Lifetime Achievement Award says volumes of his work.

Nancy Fletcher, President of the OAAA shares:

Early in my days at OAAA, I traveled to Athens to see how I might help Claude with a sign ordinance issue. I remember being struck by the way he was genuinely searching for a “win” not only for his billboard company but also for the community.