Hank Williams' Death Does Not Add Up - Smoky Mountain Source The Drifting Cowboys were a popular act, but by the age of 16, Williams was already struggling to control his drinking. In light of the sad news, her brother and county music star, Williams, is now expressing his pain over the loss of his sister. NOVEMBER 21: Mary Jane Thomas and 2020 inductee Hank Williams Jr. seen during the 2021 Medallion Ceremony, celebrating the Induction . Despite persistent health problems, Hank Williams decided he wanted to go ahead with the performances he had scheduled on New Year's Eve of 1952 and New Year's Day. He would have custody until the child turned five, when they would then assume joint custody, per Lovesick Blues. The magazine reports she had the procedure done at Baftis Plastic Surgery. Hank's mother, Lillian Skipper Williams, played the . The Medical Examiner's report said that Thomas' surgeon said her vitals were normal, and she was given Lovenox, an anticoagulant. Hank Williams' Daughter Didn't Know That He Was Her Father - Biography His official cause of death was heart failure, though it is widely believed that he died due to a lethal mix of morphine and alcohol. Her death was ruled an accident. Hank Williams died on New Year's Day 1953, Montgomery funeral drew On Jan. 22, 2021, Aaron died in his sleep, according to the Atlanta Braves, his long-time team. When America joinedWorld War IIin 1941, the Drifting Cowboys were starting to come apart. The specifics of Williams' demise are unknown. Williams decided to leave the music business altogether. While on tour in Shreveport, he met a young woman named Billie Jean Jones. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. They went on to live the most powerful love story of travel and hunting and raising a family. How did country music star Hank Williams really die? - New York Post Now she gets to radiate from above with my sister Katherine Diana right by her side," he wrote, referencing his late sister. The story follows Williams country music career and the struggles thatthat went along with being a star including his battle with alcohol and infidelity. Mary Jane Thomas and Hank Williams Jr. attend his 2021 Medallion Ceremony, celebrating the Induction of the Class of 2020 at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. His father was a railroad engineer who was also a victim of shell shock after a year of fighting in France in 1918 during World War I and spent many years in veterans hospitals. ', Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Hank Williams Jr's wife dead at 61: Country singer's spouse Mary Jane Thomas, pictured with Williams in 1989, traveled from her home in Nashville, Tennessee, for liposuction and breast implant removal procedures. Hank Williams became one of America's first country music superstars, with hits like "Your Cheatin' Heart," before his early death at 29. Hank Williams was undeniably a talented young musician. Multiple news outlets confirmed that Thomas, 58 (others stated she was 61), was rushed to a local hospital from the . Preview of Spotify. Lillie gave birth to Hank on September 17, 1923, per Biography. Thomas, pictured with Williams in 1989, traveled from her home in Nashville, Tennessee, for liposuction and breast implant removal procedures. Other findings from the medical examiner include thatThomas a former model who stayed out of the spotlight while married to the singer had mild brain swelling, mild coronary disease and some fatty metamorphosis of the liver that one would associate with alcoholism. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. But inclement weather meant they couldnt get to Charleston, so the concert was canceled and they instead made a pit stop at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn. Williams had already been drinking when he was given a shot of B12 and morphine by the hotel doctor. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. . The daughters then filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the doctor and Wynette's widower, Richey. But when they finally got hitched in 1944, it wasn't officially legal. . Meet Late Country Star Hank Williams' Grandkids Who - AmoMama It was the biggest city Williams had ever lived in, and opportunities for the young musician abounded. Daly says that the National Enquirer knew about the death long before Nashville authorities were summoned. I said, 'if you keep drinkin' ain't nobody in the business gonna pay us no attention," via I Saw the Light: The Story of Hank Williams. Thomas traveled from her home in Nashville, Tennessee, for liposuction and breast implant removal procedures performed at Bafitis Plastic Surgery, according to the reports, and was then cleared by physicians to recover at home, where she traveled to the nearby Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach County. His daughter, christened Antha Belle Jett, was born just five days after Williams' death. The 27-year-old was driving a Chevy Tahoe in . Mary Jane Thomas the wife of Hank Williams Jr. reportedlydied after undergoing plastic surgery in Jupiter, Fla. An autopsy rules that her cause of death was accidental, and she died due to a collapsed lung that was punctured the day before. Williams was still set on marrying Jones, so he and Jett devised an arrangement. Hank Williams Jr. has broken his silence regarding the tragic death of his wife, Mary Jane Thomas. The house formerly belonged to country music legend Hank Williams. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Now she gets to radiate from above with my sister Katherine Diana right by her side," he shared. Williams Jr. thanked fans for their prayers and support immediately following his wife's death. Thomas, 58, died on March 22 of a collapsed lung that . Hank Williams had suffered from back pain all his life. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, This story has been shared 101,613 times. Questions were immediately raised about the 29-year oldsdeath, with some saying that his body showedsigns of a recent fight and others, including a police officer, claiming to have seen a soldier riding in the car with Williams. The cause of death was listed as accidental. 27-year-old Katherine Williams-Dunning . The singer, who suffered from a back problem, was given a sedative by his regular doctor who had allegedly purchased a fake medical diploma through the mail and was rumored to frequently overprescribe before setting off with a college student named Charles Carr acting as his driver. Less than 48 hours later, Hank Williams was dead. 1 (three . Her cause of death was not released. Per the agreement, Williams' mother adopted the baby. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. While his WSFA solo shows were successful, it was decided that in order to take his career as a country star to the next level, he would need to form a band. She had a smile and presence that lit up every room and she never met a stranger she didn't befriend. The cause of death for Mary Jane Thomas, the wife of country singer Hank Williams Jr., has been revealed. Payne, who also went by the nickname Tee-Tot, was a busker who performed blues on the streets of Georgiana and Greenville when Williams was a boy, per Britannica. Legal Statement. Tom [Hiddleston, the actor portraying Williams] puts across that impending sense of doom. I actually wrote 13 pages for that scene but took them out because they felt superfluous, explains Abraham. Williams had already been drinking when he was given a shot of B12 and morphine by the hotel doctor. Hank Williams Was Found Dead In 1953 At This Tiny - OnlyInYourState Regardless, they began touring together. Hank Williams Jr.s late wife, Mary Jane Thomas, died on March 22 due to a "collapsed lung that was punctured during elective surgery" performed the day before in Florida. We traveled all over the world on hunts and safaris, but our favorite was hunting right here in Tennessee!". As did other family members, like Hank Williams, Jr., who . Mary Jane Thomas the wife of Hank Williams Jr. reportedly died after undergoing plastic surgery in Jupiter, Fla. An autopsy rules that her cause of . ", 911 operator: "OK. Was it an expected death, sir? On Saturday, it was reported that Williams-Dunning, the daughter of country singer Hank Williams Jr., died as a result of a car crash. Tragedy has struck the Williams family previously. Here I have tried to tell the story as briefly as possible using information from a number . or redistributed. Most accounts have Williams looking and sounding groggy, and hotel porters allegedly had to carry him to the car. We've received your submission. 1.4M monthly listeners. Unfortunately, his fast living also contributed to his downfall. Katherine died in a vehicle collision in Tennessee in 2020 when she lost control of the SUV she was driving. All of these occasions, Daly writes, triggered prescriptions for major pain-killing drugs. Thomas and Williams were married for over 20 years and shared two kids, son Sam and the late Katherine, who died in 2020. He's since been able to carry on promotinghis Rich White Honky Blues album and conducting several interviews without interruption. In his first statement since the death of his wife, Mary Jane, Hank Williams Jr. thanks fans and friends for their prayers. Death of Hank Williams - Wikipedia He had also previously been arrested for forgery and armed robbery. Thanks for contacting us. Hank Jr is the son of Hank Williams - a revered country legend who had 12 Number 1 singles, including three posthumously. Hank Williams Jr. and Mary Jane Thomas in 2002. Just before midnight, Carr set about getting Williams to a planned New Years Day show in Canton, Ohio. Wynette (born Virginia Wynette Pugh) moved herself and her daughters to Nashville from a life of poverty in rural Mississippi, where the former hair stylist became a country music superstar with such hits as "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and "Stand by Your Man"(RealAudio excerpt). It was also something that was suggested by the initial police report. The exact cause of death, and what happened in the last 48 hours of his life will perhaps never really be known. The former model, who was married to American singer-songwriter and musician Hank Williams Jr., passed away on March 22, 2022 aged 58. But in the end it doesnt really matter, Hank Williams was dead at 29 years old. An autopsy report said the cause of death was accidental. "A family member verified Mary Jane died Tuesday in Jupiter, Florida, and we're told the early indication is that she died as a result of a medical procedure problem - probably a blood clot.". The car in which Hank Williams passed his last few hours and died on New Year's Day, 1953 is exhibited at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. His official cause of death was listed as heart failure, but there are many who say otherwise. When the singers death was announced to the waiting crowd at the Palace Theatre in Canton, they sang Williams I Saw the Light in unison. ", Caller: "Uh, it was kind of unexpected, but it was a natural death, yes. In the summer of 1952, Hank Williams had a brief affair with a dancer named Bobbie Jett. H. ank Williams is the most important of all country musicians, past and present. July 26, 2022 3:44 PM. Wife of Hank Williams Jr.Mary Jane ThomasDies Unexpectedly (Carr died in 2013 and, for much of his life, kept silent on his journey with Williams.). However, when Hank was only six, Lon suffered facial paralysis as a result of what was most likely a brain aneurysm. When new wife Billie Jean . Lemon, Marshall wrote Williams a series of fraudulent prescriptions for drugs including morphine, barbiturates, amphetamines, and chloral hydrate that no doubt contributed to his failing health. The cause of death for Mary Jane Thomas, the wife of country singer Hank Williams Jr., has been revealed.. Thomas, 58, died on March 22 of a collapsed lung that was punctured during elective surgery the day before, according to a report from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner as well as an autopsy report, which were obtained by PEOPLE. Following Williams' death, both Sheppard and Jones battled over his estate, each vying over the title of Hank Williams' widow. Nobody would know where he was," via Sing a Sad Song. Some biographers (including Colin Escott, whose book I Saw the Light provides the basis for the film) have suggested that Williams may have even died at the Andrew Johnson in Knoxville, and that Carr had unwittingly driven several hundred miles with a corpse. Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers Among Worlds Top Old-School Country Artists, Study Finds, 11 Cringeworthy Country Commercials Fit for the Super Bowl, 15 Country Legends Who Deserve to Be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hank Williams Jr. Unveils Summer 2023 Amphitheater Tour Dates, Hank Williams Jr.s Son, Sam Williams, Comes Out as Gay in New Music Video + Interview, Jerry Lee Lewis Doctors Stopped Him From Attending Country Music Hall of Fame Ceremony, Hank Jr. Is Grandpa of the Year, It Would Seem [Pictures], Hank Williams Jr Fires Civil War Cannon on Fourth of July: It Made a Pretty Big Bang [Watch]. By 1930, Lillie was for all practical purposes a single mother, and the Great Depression was hitting the country. 3.7K. I think he had a profound sadness in him, says Marc Abraham, writer and director of, Williams had already been drinking when he was given a shot of B12 and morphine by the hotel doctor. Rest in peace Mama, I will always be the son of Mary Jane.". Taste of Country talked to Williams Jr. in June about a wide ranging set of topics. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mary Jane Thomas, wife of Hank Williams Jr., reportedly died after - al All the while, Williams self-medicated with bouts of drinking binges. Some have suggested that Williams may have even died at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville, and that Carr had unknowinglydriven several hundred miles with a deceased Williams in the back seat. At the time of Hank Williams' death in 1953, he was worth $10,000 (100,000 in today's money). According to TMZ, country musician Hank Williams Jr's wife, Mary Jane, died on Tuesday at the age of 61. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He made ends meet performing in small medicine shows, pitching cure-alls to crowds from a flatbed trailer. Just before midnight, Carr set about getting Williams to a planned New Years Day show in Canton, Ohio. The late Mary and Hank Jr welcomed two children, Katie and Sam. Singer Hank Williams Jr.'s Wife Dead at 58: Cause of Death Suspicious Afterwards, he began to deteriorate physically, putting on weight and losing his hair. Somewhere around Oak Hill, West Virginia, Carr looked into the backseat and realized Williams seemed rigid and unresponsive. She died at home, on a living-room couch, with her fifth husband, country music producer and songwriter George Richey, present. There is a framework of events that is largely agreed upon, starting with Williams being chauffeured to a planned New Years Eve show in Charleston, W.Va. Hank Williams - Hey Good Lookin' (Official Video) - YouTube <p>Her cause of death was ruled accidental.</p> Her . Just before midnight, Carr set about getting Williams to a planned New Years Day show in Canton, Ohio. Mary Jane Thomas's cause of death revealed: Hank Williams Jr's - MEAWW She was ambitious, and Williams began to see real success after his marriage, signing a contract first with Acuff-Rose Music and then with MGM Records and releasing many of his most famous hits. But Williams wasn't cut out for shipyard work, and didn't last long in Oregon. Hank Williams Jr.'s daughter Katherine, 27, killed in car accident - Yahoo! A lonely and troubled man, Williams struggled with chronic pain and substance abuse issues that would hinder his success and ultimately lead to his untimely death at just 29-years-old. Williams' mother, Bobbie Jett, was six months pregnant with her when Hank Williams married his second wife, Billie Jean Eshliman. Mira Sorvino mourns father, 'Goodfellas' actor Paul Sorvino: 'My heart is rent asunder', paid tribute to his mom in a statement to People, Reba McEntire will hit the road this fall with Terri Clark: 'Gals gotta stick together! Sam later spoke about how Katie's passing impacted him during an interview withPeoplein August 2021. Market data provided by Factset. He responded to an ad from Kaiser Shipbuilding, a shipyard company in Portland, Oregon that promised a free one-way ticket, training, free rent, and a steady wage for anyone willing to work. He was also invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry's first European tour, performing at military bases overseas at the end of 1949. For that reason, the new biopic I Saw The Lightopted to avoid the subject of Williams death. Hank Williams Jr.'s wife Mary Jane Thomas unexpectedly died on Tuesday, a source with direct knowledge of the event confirmed to CMT. Local lore also places Williams at a Knoxville hospital getting a second shot of morphine this in addition to the one administered by the hotel doctor that might have caused a drug overdose. Hank Williams Jr.'s Wife Died From Collapsed Lung After Cosmetic - TMZ But, it's the 'still climbing' part that is the most important. Within 48 hours of Williams prediction, he had met his maker, but the circumstances surrounding how he died have given rise to one of music historys greatest debates. Driver recalls Hank Williams' last ride - Chron The cause of death was listed as heart failure, but the exact cause is unknown. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Hank Williams | Spotify In recent years, a Knoxvillian . Daughters Hillary and Holly are Hank Jr's other children with his ex-wife Becky White, who he was married to from 1977 to 1983. The first concert was scheduled to be performed in Charleston, West Virginia, but his plans were disrupted by an ice storm that delayed his travel. Carr called a doctor to Williams' room. Tammy Wynette Died From Drugs, Daughter's Book Alleges Tom [Hiddleston, the actor portraying Williams] puts across that impending sense of doom. How did Hank Williams Jr. die? - Quora In 1937, Williams moved with his mother and sister to Montgomery. Wynette's daughters obtained a court order last year to have Wynette's body exhumed for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. You're about the purtiest thing I ever saw," via Sing a Sad Song. The new biopic I Saw the Light, in theaters Friday, traces country legend Hank Williams struggles with alcohol, infidelity and the weight of being one of the biggest music stars in the United States, following hits such as his cover of Lovesick Blues (1949) and his own Why Dont You Love Me (1950). On February 8, 1999, the Death Car returned to Montgomery with the opening of the Hank . Unfortunately, she died in 1955, just three years after her son's death, so little Jett went into foster care, becoming a ward of the state before she was eventually adopted. Mary Jane, who appeared alongside Williams Jr. when he was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, is survived by the singer, their son, and three grandchildren. ", Hank Williams Jr.'s youngest son, Sam, said he was under a conservatorship put in place by the family following the death of his sister Katherine in 2020. More celebrity deaths:Mira Sorvino mourns father, 'Goodfellas' actor Paul Sorvino: 'My heart is rent asunder'. The former model, who lived in Nashville, had traveled to Jupiter, Florida to undergo liposuction, as well as to remove previous breast implants at Bafitis Plastic Surgery. When the singers death was announced to the waiting crowd at the Palace Theatre in Canton, they sang Williams I Saw the Light in unison.. The famous Hank Williams was dead at 29 from whiskey, hard living, and heart failure. Theres so much conjecture that both I Saw the Light and the 1964 biopic, Your Cheatin Heart, chose to avoid depicting the final journey altogether. The truth about Hank Williams death may never be known. He had no intention of staying with Jett, as by this point he was already infatuated with Billie Jean Jones. "I met Ms. Mary Jane Thomas on July 4th, 1984 in Daytona Beach, FL. Hank Williams Jr.'s Wife Mary Jane Thomas' Cause of Death Revealed MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Star hooked on painkillers, Jackie Daly writes. Her husband, Tyler Dunning, was in the vehicle and survived with critical injuries. Legal Statement. His real name was Horace "Toby" Marshall, and he was not a real doctor. The Tragic Death Of Hank Williams Jr.'s Wife Mary Jane Thomas The autopsy proved that traces of the drugs Versed and Phenergan were still in her body, although no exact cause of death could be determined, other than the expected finding of heart failure. When new wife Billie Jean asked what was the matter, she claimed his reply was, I think I see God comin down the road.. Hank felt there was something bad around the corner.. 2022-03-30. The family spent the early years of Hank's life moving around southern Alabama, following the work. Hank Williams Jr., 73, is the son of country music legend Hank Williams. Per USA Today, she underwent liposuction and a breast implant removal with a breast lift, was sent to a resort to recover, and then became unresponsive the next day. The Accepted Story of Hank Williams' Death. In August 1952, Williams was fired from the Grand Ole Opry for his failure to show up to Opry-sponsored appearances, according to PBS. But as Jack Neely, executive director of the Knoxville History Project explains, local folklore tells a different story. Hank Williams: The Man Who Changed Country Music Hank Williams Jr.'s Wife Mary Jane Thomas' Cause of Death Confirmed