Today marked Jack Williams last day as the 6 p.m. anchor at WBZ-TV in Boston.
"Well finally tonight I must tell you that I am overwhelmed by all of this" Williams said in his closing remarks at the end of the newscast.
"But most importantly, I wanted to thank you, the viewers of New England who have been so darn good to me and my family, and to Marci. Thank you."
A television journalist since 1968, Williams has been an anchor at WBZ-TV News since 1975. Williams received a 2014 Columbia duPont Award and a 2013 Peabody Award as part of WBZ-TV’s team coverage of the Boston Marathon Bombings. In 2012, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). Williams was also inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and he was one of only five New England journalists to receive the prestigious 2012 Yankee Quill Award which is considered to be the highest individual honor awarded by fellow journalists in the region and is presented annually by the Academy of New England Journalists.
“Jack Williams is a true legend of broadcasting. We are grateful for all he has done and everything he will continue to do as a member of the WBZ-TV family and the New England community,” said Mark Lund, President and General Manager for CBS Boston’s WBZ-TV and myTV38.
“Even though I won’t be a nightly anchor, I am thrilled that I’ll be able to continue my ‘Wednesday’s Child’ reports, substitute anchor when need be, and still be a part of WBZ-TV’s signature events and specials. It’s great to have the opportunity to focus on ‘Wednesday’s Child’ and continue to be a member of the WBZ family” Jack said when he announced he was stepping down on August 18.
Williams launched his “Wednesday’s Child” in 1981. Airing each Wednesday on WBZ-TV News at 6PM, “Wednesday’s Child” features a special needs child who is in search of a permanent home. Over the years, the segment has helped more than 800 special needs children find loving homes. Williams is responsible for raising more than $10 million for special needs adoption. In April 2000, Williams created the “Jack Williams Endowment for Wednesday’s Child,” a 501(C) (3) charity to ensure continued financial support for special needs adoption. Each year Jack and Marci give $430,000 in grants to agencies and group homes helping special needs children find adoptive homes.
Before signing off for the CBS Evening News, he expressed how much fun he has had over the years and that "and you know what?" he said "the fun isn't over yet. I'm not dead yet!"
You can watch some classic Jack Williams moments here.
You can watch highlights from Jack's final newscast below.
Jack Williams Signs Off WBZ Anchor Desk
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