KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A longtime Knoxville DJ has died.
Officials at 103.5 WIMZ announced the news on Facebook Wednesday that William Winningham, better known as Billy Kidd, has died.
He's been on Knoxville radio for decades and currently hosted a show between 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. on weekdays on the classic rock station.
"Just remember how much Billy loved this community and the people who made it so great!" officials said on Facebook. "We will be posting and airing tributes to Billy in the days to follow."
Several people posted condolences on Kidd's Facebook page, sharing stories and pictures about meeting him. Several other hosts on the radio station also said that he will be missed, after talking to him almost every day.
One person who knew Billy very well is Phil Williams, his old partner on the WIMZ morning show that many native East Tennesseans grew up listening to.
“When I heard it, it’s hard to know. Your first impression is how? Why? But at the end of the day, what I know about Bill is that he’s in the arms of Jesus. I know that. It was a shock. No one expected it," he said.
Williams now hosts his own show on NewsTalk 98.7, but remembers his time with Billy fondly.
"Phil and Billy in the morning was one of the most fun times I’ve ever had on the radio. We did a lot of fun things. Even at the time, we were seeped into the community with the Vols. Shaved our heads together, stole a car at one time. We had a lot of fun," Williams said.
He said that if you listened to Billy on the radio, you knew him.
“Bill was pretty much the same on-air as off and that’s a compliment. He had a heart as big as a house. Went out of his way to make sure the I’s were dotted, t’s crossed. He was much more detail-oriented than I. I appreciated that. Very giving person and he had a love that you could see once you got to know him you could see the love," he said. "That came across I hope it did. I know it did."
Billy's heart to help others really came through with big community events, like Camping for Cans for the Second Harvest Food Bank. He would literally camp on the roof of a Knoxville building until a tractor-trailer in the parking lot was filled with food donations.
"The Camping for Cans thing I remember when we started it. I even stayed the night. He took that mantle and just went on I said on Newstalk this morning, I hope they take it and move on. It’s my hope Second Harvest needs us more than ever. Have a Bill Kidd memorial food drive. It’s part of his legacy," Williams said.
It's a very tough day for everyone who knew and worked with Billy. Williams said he's getting through it the way Billy would want him to.
"Bill. William was a pro. He was prepped and ready but you could throw him a curve. He was a pro. I think he’d want us to hit the mic switch and smile. And do our job. I’ll miss you brother and I love you," he said.
No information was immediately available as to the cause of death. This story will be updated when more information is available.