Mr. William "Bill" Douglas Brittain's Obituary
Bill Brittain (William D. Brittain) a prominent Nashville broadcaster for decades passed peacefully in the presence of his family on June 24, 2016. Born in Jordonia, Tennessee on August 31, 1929 he was a 1949 graduate of East High School.
Following army duty in the Korean War he studied at the Southeast Radio and Television Institute where he later was an instructor. Acting roles in plays such as "Our Town" and "Pygmalion" paved his path into a long and notable career in radio. After stints announcing and managing radio stations in several Tennessee cities Bill became a mainstay of the major Nashville broadcast outlets, working over the years at WSM, WLAC,WMAK, WSIX, WENO, WZEZ and finally as a big band host on WAMB. Both in his music programs and as a reporter, Bill's graceful style stood out in memorable interviews with celebrities like Johnny Cash, Nancy Sinatra, Gene Autry and many others. A highlight of his reporting was coverage of large scale rioting at the Tennessee state prison. His rich baritone was also familiar to thousands, indeed millions, as the longtime voice greeting arrivals at the Nashville International Airport.
Beyond broadcasting Bill made a lasting mark as the editor who launched Music City News toward its wide success as a staple of Nashville's key industry. His subsequent career as editor and writer brought close collaboration with Willie Nelson at Pamper Music, as well as extensive contributions to "Nashville Scene".
For 12 years Bill was an elected member of the Sumner County Commission, working diligently to strengthen the County budget, infrastructure and educational system. As he moved into retirement he perfected his craft as an artisan in wood, founding Significraft Pens to fashion writing instruments from historic woods he salvaged from the Hermitage , Ryman Auditorium and elsewhere. As a knowledgeable guide at the auditorium his fascination with Thomas Ryman led him to embark on a biographical screenplay about the riverboat captain whose religious conversion prompted him to found the Dixie Tabernacle, later to become an enduring landmark bearing his name.
Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mollie Vinson Brittain, daughters Helen C. Webb, Melodie Harris, Bonnie Webb and Tracy Mims, brother Alton Frye, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
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