In Memoriam: J. Doug Williams
The OAB lost a remarkable Broadcaster and Community Advocate in Doug Williams on Friday night. 
Doug was a maverick owner, air talent, and entrepreneur who symbolized the best a local broadcaster can be. His stations in Woodward were always top notch.
Services will be at 2:00pm on Wednesday, August 12, at the First United Methodist Church, 111 Downs Avenue in Woodward. Burial will follow with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Those unable to attend the service can view the stream at https://www.facebook.com/Billings-Funeral-Home-168702273140241.
Above: J. Douglas Williams and daughter Brooke Williams
J. Douglas Williams April 2, 1942—August 7, 2020
J. Douglas Williams, whose legendary career in broadcasting, law, real estate, education and civic involvement spanned more than five decades, passed away on Friday, Aug. 7, in his beloved hometown of Woodward, OK, at the age of 78.
For 40 years, Mr. Williams served as President and CEO of Omni Communications, Inc. Affectionately known as “J. Doug,” he also entertained and informed Northwest Oklahoma listeners every day as the voice of the “Morning Show” on Woodward station K-101, a former winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Mr. Williams himself previously received a Marconi Award as “Radio Personality of the Year.”
“Doug Williams held a radio station that has become as much a part of the tristate area as the land and the people that call it home,” said Woodward Chamber of Commerce President C.J. Montgomery, a fellow broadcaster and longtime friend of Mr. Williams. “Quite honestly, Doug has added to the notoriety, fame, fortune and bottom line of this community and region more than anyone else for four decades.” – C.J. Montgomery (Woodward Chamber of Commerce President, Fellow Broadcaster and Longtime Friend)
As a corporation, Omni Communications owns three radio stations and one television station. Mr. Williams was also the President and General Manager of Omni Media Group, a concert/special events production and promotion company.
Mr. Williams earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma in the late 1960s and was in the first class of legal interns to be licensed by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. But before officially beginning his legal career, he served for four years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the FBI’s Field Offices in Washington, DC, and Birmingham, along with the Bureau’s Los Angeles Division headquarters.
Mr. Williams was a true entrepreneur who reveled in multitasking. While launching his careers as a broadcaster and lawyer in Woodward, he also established himself as a local real estate developer. He later worked as Vice President and General Counsel of the G.O. Williams Oil Company, and General and Managing Partner of the G.O. Williams Investment Company.
Among his professional affiliations, Mr. Williams was a member of the National Association of Broadcasters and was previously elected Chairman of the NAB’s Radio Board. He was a board member of the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters and a former president of the organization, while also being a member of the Texas Association of Broadcasters. Mr. Williams frequently spoke on broadcasting issues at local colleges such as Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Texas Tech University.
In addition, Mr. Williams was a member of the American Bar Association, the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association and the Society of Ex-FBI Agents.
Mr. Williams was also extensively involved with local organizations such as the Woodward United Fund, the Woodward Public Schools Educational Foundation, the Woodward Hospital Foundation, and the First United Methodist Church of Woodward.
Mr. Williams will also be remembered as the founding producer of The 101 Classic Bowl in Woodward, an annual event that honors local high school athletes, band members and cheerleaders, and awards scholarships to deserving students.
Following in her father’s footsteps is Doug’s daughter, Brooke Williams, who is Senior Vice President of Membership for the Radio Advertising Bureau. Mr. Williams is also survived by his new granddaughter, Drew, and his son-in-law, Ryan Hamby.