Donald Ray Williams (May 27, 1939 – September 8, 2017) was an American country singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 number one country hits. His straightforward yet smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname: "Gentle Giant" of country music.

Don Williams was born on May 27, 1939 in Floydada, Texas, USA as Donald Ray Williams. He was married to Joy Bucher. He died on September 8, 2017 in Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Spouse (1) Joy Bucher (10 April 1960 - 8 September 2017) ( his death) ( 2 children)

Trade Mark (1) Deep baritone voice

Country singer and songwriter.

Before making it big as a country performer, was a member of the Pozo-Seco Singers, a 1960s folk group, with Susan Taylor and Lofton Cline.

Has a long string of hits on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. His first hit, in 1973, was "The Shelter of Your Eyes."

His 1974 hit, "I Wouldn't Want to Live if You Didn't Love Me," was the first of 17 No. 1 hits on Billboard's country chart. His best two known No. 1 hits were "I Believe in You" (1980) and "Lord I Hope This Day is Good" (1982).

Some of his other big No. 1 country hits included "You're My Best Friend" and "Turn Out the Light and Love Me Tonight" (1975); "Til the Rivers all Run Dry" and "Say it Again" (1976); "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" and "I'm Just a Country Boy" (1977); "Tulsa Time" and "It Must Be Love" (1979); "Love Me Over Again" (1980); "If Hollywood Don't Need You" (1983); "Stay Young" and "That's the Thing About Love" (1984); and "Heartbeat in the Darkness" (1986). Some big No. 2 hits of his were "She Never Knew Me" (1976); "Good Ole Boys Like Me" (1980); "Walking a Broken Heart" (1985) and "Back in My Younger Days" (1990). His No. 3 hits were "Rake and Ramblin' Man" (1978); "Lay Down Beside Me" (1979); "If I Needed You" (1981, duet with Emmylou Harris); "Listen to the Radio" and "Mistakes" (1982); and "We've Got a Good Fire Goin'" (1986).

His greatest popularity is not in the United States, but in Europe, where in 1980 he was awarded the title Country Music Star of the Decade. In the United States, he was the Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year award in 1978.

He served in the US Army for two years before becoming a musician.

His popularity extends as far as Africa in countries like Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya.