Audrey Williams

Audrey Mae Sheppard Williams (February 28, 1923 – November 4, 1975) was an American musician known for being the first wife of country music singer and songwriter Hank Williams, the mother of Hank Williams Jr., and the grandmother of Hank Williams III and Holly Williams.

Early life and marriages Audrey Sheppard was born in Banks, Alabama, to Artie Mae (née Harden; 1903–1976) and Charles "Shelton" Sheppard. She grew up on a farm owned and worked by her parents. Sheppard married her first husband, James Erskine Guy, when she was a high-school senior. On August 13, 1941, their daughter Lycrecia was born. Sheppard and Guy separated soon after.

Sheppard met Hank Williams in Andalusia, Alabama, in 1943.

On May 26, 1949, Audrey gave birth to the couple's only child, Randall Hank Williams, in Shreveport, Louisiana. When Hank expressed a desire to adopt Lycrecia, Audrey refused, fearing that he would take her if they divorced.

On December 31, 1951, after allegations of mutual infidelities and the resumption of her husband's health problems, Audrey called from a hotel and told Hank to be out of their Tennessee house by the time she returned. Replying to her with a seemingly prophetic statement, Hank stated, "Audrey, I won't live another year without you."

In June 1952, the couple divorced. She was awarded the house, their son, and half of her ex-husband's future royalties on the condition that she never remarry.

In 1953, months after Hank Sr.'s death, Audrey paid Hank's second wife, Billie Jean Jones, $30,000 to relinquish the title of "Hank Williams's Widow". Both women had been using the description professionally. Billie Jean agreed to Audrey's terms.

Later life and death Williams and her son Hank Jr. became estranged after he turned 18. She never remarried. She died of congestive heart failure on November 4, 1975 at age 52, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Discography

Singles Year Title US Country Label 1951 "Leave Us Women Alone" - MGM 1965 "They're Begging You to Stay" - 1955 "Little Bocephus" - "I'll Let the Telephone Ring" - 1966 "Almost Persuaded" -