Jack Williams (news anchor)
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Jack Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 29, 1944 (age 80) [1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon (B.S., Journalism, 1968) [2] |
| Occupation(s) | TV presenter, journalist |
| Known for | News anchor for WBZ-TV of Boston |
Jack Williams is a retired 6 PM weekday news anchor on WBZ-TV in Boston, Massachusetts. He also founded "Wednesday's Child" in 1981, a non-profit adoption agency for special needs children.
Early career
[edit]Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, Williams worked in radio from 1959 until he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oregon in 1968. During college, he worked as a news anchor/reporter for KUGN Radio in Eugene, Oregon.
He first appeared on television in 1968 on KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington, anchoring their 11:00 news. He later worked at KORK-TV (now KSNV-DT) in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was the principal anchor and news director, before joining WBZ in 1975.
Career
[edit]Up until 2012, he worked at WBZ with Lisa Hughes as an anchor at 6 and 11 PM; in 2012 he decided to stop working the 11 PM news and only work the 6 PM.[1]
First paired with Tony Pepper, he was a lead anchor at the station starting in 1975. He was demoted briefly in 1981 to the 5:30 newscast, but quickly regained one of the top anchor slots with the popular Liz Walker as co-anchor for both the 6:00 and 11:00 newscasts until 1992, when the station went to a half hour format at 6:00, and instead began their evening news at 5:00.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, Williams announced he was stepping down from the 11 PM newscasts, but would continue on the station as a co-anchor on the 6 pm newscast, a position he held until August 29, 2014.[1] After stepping down from the 6pm news cast, Williams remained with the station for special segments and for "Wednesday's Child". He also worked as a substitute for other news anchors like Jonathan Elias, Paula Ebben, David Wade, and Lisa Hughes.
Williams announced his retirement on June 23, 2015 and his last day as a WBZ anchor was June 25, 2015.[citation needed]
Wednesday's Child
[edit]In 1981, Williams founded "Wednesday's Child", a non-profit adoption agency for special needs children. A different child is featured every Wednesday at 6PM. He has been honored by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton at the White House for his efforts.
Honorary degrees
[edit]Williams has received honorary doctorate degrees from Curry College, Salem State University, Fitchburg State University, Merrimack College, Framingham State University, Worcester State University, Newbury College, and Wheelock College.[3]
Awards
[edit]- 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).
- Inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame
- 2012 Yankee Quill Award (Academy of New England Journalists)
- 2001 Governor’s Award from the New England Emmy organization, recognizing his career accomplishments.
- 1997 honored at the White House by President Bill Clinton and the First Lady, with the first Adoption 2002 Excellence Award.
- 1990 Martin Luther Burstein Volunteer Award
- 1987 N. Neal Pike Prize for service to handicapped persons by Boston University Law School
- 1986 Presidential Citation from President Ronald Reagan in the Rose Garden at the White House for “Wednesday’s Child”
- 1984 first national media award ever presented by the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH)
Personal
[edit]Williams lives in the MetroWest part of Massachusetts with his wife, Marci. He has four daughters, Kari, Tracy, Wendy, and Amy, from a previous marriage.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Jack Williams Changes Role On WBZ-TV", CBS Local, March 20, 2012
- ^ "Bio: Jack Williams", Jack Williams' Endowment for Wednesday's Child website
- ^ Jack Williams Biography Archived 2011-04-03 at the Wayback Machine, WBZ-TV website, accessed July 3, 2010
Further reading
[edit]- Burnett, James, "Top of Mind: Jack Williams", Boston magazine, April 2009