WBZ Reflects On 40 Years With Legendary Anchor Jack Williams
BOSTON (CBS) -- Jack Williams' retirement is a bitter sweet moment here at WBZ-TV. We're happy he will be able to dial it down a notch after anchoring the news for 40 years.
But we're not only losing daily interaction with a genuine friend. We will also miss the work of a dedicated and distinguished journalist.
Jack's steady hand on the anchor desk and in the field reporting created a new definition about what it means to be a broadcaster in Boston.
"I'm just a kid from a small town out in the Rocky Mountains. I just pinch myself all the time. I lucked out in life with my profession," explained Williams as he stood overlooking Boston's vibrant Seaport District. "This is all I ever wanted to do."
Williams got into news by accident. He was working at a small radio station in 1959 as a DJ when a news anchor suddenly left. He switched roles and never looked back.
A lot was happening in 1975. Captain and Tennille had the year's biggest hit record with "Love Will Keep Us Together." Gerald Ford was mired in a post-Watergate presidency. Carlton Fisk hit the most famous home run in Red Sox History. And Jack Williams arrived in Boston to anchor the news here at WBZ.
"I came during the first year of bussing, which as an explosion of parochialism. People didn't want change. People didn't want any change. It was more than just racial," said Williams.
A quick study, Williams learned the ins and outs of covering Boston and distinguished himself on the big stories of yesterday, and today. "The Blizzard of 78 was huge because it shut down the whole state." Williams recalled being on the air for hours on end for about a week.
"All the political campaigns. You know, New Hampshire being close and having power in determining who the first presidential nominees will be," added Williams, about an area of reporting he enjoyed.
"The Boston Marathon bombing was something that rocked me to my soul, and made me proud of on New Englanders, of how they came together," said Williams.
Jack's passion for history always raised the level of his reporting. He cites two trips to Normandy as highlights of his career. "To cover the New England soldiers who landed there, that meant an awful lot to me."
Then there is the humanitarian. The audience saw this side of Jack every week when he presented "Wednesday's Child" and tried to help a special needs child find a home.
More than 700 children have been placed over 34 years. A tireless advocate and fundraiser, Jack leaves the program with a healthy endowment which will help children for years to come.
"We created a way of getting money to these children to help group homes. That's all part of legacy I see. You've got to give back," he said.
As Jack steps out of the spotlight, he reflected on how he would like to be remembered.
"That I had a lot of curiosity, and I tried hard, and I tried to tell the truth," said Williams.
Williams leaves WBZ with a smile on his face, knowing he loved his career.
"First off, I didn't really expect I would become household word in New England, believe me," said Williams. "Except maybe a swear word!"
