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Gerald Don Williams was born the only child of Roy and Thelma Williams on October 7, 1933 in the rural community of Honey Hill, Arkansas. He had the privilege of growing up in a musical and devout extended family. He attended his first formal “singing school” in 1945. His natural love for music and dreams of a singing career were enhanced by listening to daily radio broadcasts of The Stamps Baxter Melody Boys Quartet, with Herschel Foshee singing bass and “Smilin’” Joe Roper playing the piano. This same Quartet had also been in concert at his home church.  

Gerald was noticed by Herschel Foshee at a singing school and in time sang bass for the Junior Quartet. Mr. Foshee was plagued by health problems and Gerald would often fill in for Mr. Foshee on their radio broadcasts. Therefore, when Mr. Foshee passed away in 1949, it was natural for Joe Roper, who was now manager of the Quartet and dropped their affiliation with Stamps Baxter, to ask Gerald to fill the bass position for The Melody Boys Quartet. 

1949 to the present day has found Gerald Williams playing an integral part in the Quartet World west of the Mississippi, and all of this time, except for approximately 5 years when he was involved in other assignments, finds him in the Little Rock, Arkansas area. Gerald has been the anchor and foundation in his many years with The Melody Boys Quartet. 2006 is Gerald’s 57^th anniversary in professional Quartet life. He is recognized by his peers and the industry as one of the premier bass vocalists ever to perform on a Gospel stage. This fact will be formally recognized by his induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in October of 2006. 

Gerald’s first wife, Martha Bevill Williams, went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 1996 after many years of a happy loving marriage. On August 16, 1997 the Lord blessed Gerald by allowing him to marry Martha Chamblee, who was widowed in January of 1994. Gerald has three grown children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He also still has the distinct pleasure of enjoying his Mother’s presence. Thelma Williams is in her 90s and is a true joy. Due to space constraints we have condensed Gerald’s extensive biography. Please obtain a copy of his autobiography, Mighty Lot of Singin’, to learn more about this gentleman’s fascinating life, career, and legacy.  

In September, 2006, Gerald was inducted into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN.