Friends on Monday remembered Carroll Williams, who unexpectedly died in his sleep this past weekend, as a good friend and great guitar player.
Williams was a Covington County native who made his career in and around music – mostly in the Carolinas, and returned home in recent years. Locally, he was known as a member of the Carroll Williams Band, and for running karaoke shows.
Trip Bass got to know him years ago, and was one of four players in the band.
“Unless somebody called and said they couldn’t come, we played at 6 on Thursday nights,” Bass said. “Mainly, we just enjoyed each other’s company. Sometimes we’d have different people come and sit in with us just to make it enjoyable.”
What many people didn’t know, his musician friends agreed, was just how talented Williams was.
“Carroll was an almost world class guitar player in the style he plays,” Bass said. “Chet Atkins was almost like his childhood idol, musically. He just picked up that style of play. I swear I don’t believe anybody else can play old style like that. Most of them are gone.”
John Vick was a fan for that very reason.

“I don’t play music, but I know a lot about it,” he said. “He was the most talented person I’ll ever meet, and about as fine as they get.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like to play a guitar like that – in that Chet Atkins mode,” Vick said.
Vick said he is particularly fond of a CD of religious songs Williams recorded.
“It was done in the 90s,” Vick said. “It is one of the finest you’ll ever hear.”
Paul Norris was another musical friend who met Carroll 10 or so years ago.
“I was up there several years ago and somebody called who was going to do a CD of the top five finger pickers in the world,” Norris said. “They wanted him to be one of those top five. If I’m not mistaken, they called him again later. He couldn’t do it then because he was caring for his mother.
“He missed his chance,” Norris said. “He was one of the best guitar pickers I know.”
Bass said Williams avoided the spotlight.
“We didn’t play out very much – maybe three or four times a year,” Bass said. “We really didn’t want to. We had all done that years ago, and didn’t have the energy. We did several benefits, Christmas parties, and Fourth of July parties.”
They also were a popular attraction at Andalusia’s July Jamz, sponsored by the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Andalusia.
“Carroll Williams brought so much joy to the fans at July Jamz,” Chamber Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said. “We are forever grateful that he shared his talents with us, and our concert will never be the same without him. “
Williams was also was a good friend with a reputation for quietly helping others.
“He got me in to doing karaoke and DJ work,” Norris said. “We do weddings and private parties and things. He was always there to help me when I needed help. If a computer messed up or something, he would tell me how to work it out.”
Norris said he’ll always remember an occasion shortly after he first met Williams.
“ I was playing music at the time,” Norris said. “He went and did a set with me at a peanut boiling in the Horn Hill area. Just three or four songs. It was the first time I ever played with him, and I was privileged to get to do so.”
Star-News sports editor Josh Dutton got to know Williams while working as a DJ at the Idle Hour. Dutton said he randomly decided to stop and visit Williams there after finishing up sports coverage Friday night.
“I got to know Carroll very well over the past seven or eight years,” Dutton said. “Carroll was always very influential to me when it came to music. He always encouraged me to do more, and was always one of my biggest supporters. He is someone that always had a smile on his face and always made sure others did as well.”
Much of Williams’ work was with sound equipment, making others sound their best. Among the systems he installed was the one in Atlanta Fulton County stadium in 1965. He also had the honor of playing as a guest at the Grand Ole Opry, Bass said.
“He was such a friend to so many people,” Bass said. “I think playing music is almost like the camaraderie of baseball or football players. You’re not only friends, you’re teammates. I’m sure gonna miss him.”
Memorial services have not yet been set. Keahey Funeral Home is handling arrangements.