Printable text version of this story April 06, 1999 Celebrities to sing tribute to Williams Memorial service set for legendary jazz performer By Ed Koch <koch@lasvegassun.com> LAS VEGAS SUN Entertainer Robert Goulet will read a letter to Joe Williams and noted jazz singers Nancy Wilson and Diane Schuur will sing at Wednesday's memorial service for the legendary jazz baritone. Williams, who died March 29 at age 80 while walking home from Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center where he had been treated for a respiratory ailment, will be remembered at an 11:30 a.m. ceremony at the First Church of Religious Science, 1420 E. Harmon Ave. The chapel holds 350 people, and an overflow crowd, including jazz and other entertainment notables, is expected to pay last respects for Williams who performed with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1954 to '61. In accordance with his wishes, Williams was cremated, said his wife, Jillean, who noted that it also was her husband's wishes that his memorial service be on a small scale with no viewing. The ceremony is expected to last about an hour. Bob Udkoff, a longtime friend of Williams and late band leader Duke Ellington, will deliver the eulogy. Goulet, an international singing star who lives in Las Vegas, will read a short, open letter in memory of Williams, his longtime friend. Wilson, a popular jazz singer since the 1960s, and Schuur, a blind jazz singer who also worked with Williams, Basie and B.B. King, each will sing tributes to their friend. The Rev. Richard Walter will be the officiant for the services. Grammy Award-winner Williams, a Las Vegas resident for 31 years, performed alongside such jazz stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Lena Horne. Williams' hit songs included "Every Day I Have the Blues" with Basie and "A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry" as a solo performer. His albums include "Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings" and "Just the Blues." Williams made several appearances on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." In the 1980s, Williams had a recurring role on "The Cosby Show," playing the father-in-law to Bill Cosby's character. Williams performed in many of the major Las Vegas lounges, including the Flamingo, the old Dunes and the old MGM, now Bally's. He did charity concerts for the Las Vegas Jazz Society at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall and his annual scholarship concert at the Community College of Southern Nevada. In 1993 he performed at the White House for President Clinton, who last week called Williams "a national treasure." The family suggests that donations can be made to the Joe Williams Scholarship Fund, Community College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas, NV, 89030. Printable text version of this story Las Vegas SUN main page Click here for problems or questions. Read our policy on privacy and cookies. Advertise on Vegas.com. All contents © 1998, 1999 Las Vegas Sun, Inc. Nevada's Largest Website | 1-702-385-3111