In September 2012, famous crooner and entertainer Andy Williams died of bladder cancer. This year, Williams’ widow, Debbie, is working to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society as the 2014 honorary chairwoman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball. She’s set a goal to raise $750,000 – enough to outpace last year’s $700,000 and the event high of $715,000 – to further cancer research and services for those battling the disease. Williams, who splits time between Palm Springs, Calif., and Branson, said through the Cattle Baron’s Ball she hopes to carry forward her husband’s philanthropic legacy.
Getting Connected“This is the sixth season, and I would say about three or four years ago I went as an attendee. I bought a table and brought some friends. I went just because of the event itself. I had always heard about the one in Dallas, and I knew how grand that was. I thought it was so cool that Springfield was doing something like that, so I attended. And I thought it was terrific. Then, low and behold, the events occurred with my husband becoming ill and passing away, and I was indirectly asked through my best friend’s neighbor’s daughter-in-law if I would be interested in being honorary chairperson this year.”
Attention Here“No. 1 the goal is to bring attention to the Cattle Baron’s Ball and all of the fantastic things that the money goes to. It’s multifaceted. It works with patient support; it works with research; and now (the ACS) is doing this wonderful thing with wigs where it allows the funds to go toward wigs for cancer patients. … When you have somebody you know who has been touched by cancer as I have, it allows you to reflect and to choose a way to be a voice for others and give something back. … I think (Andy) would be thrilled and happy to know I was doing something.”
Moon River“I’m happy to say Jimmy Osmond has taken over management and booking of the theater. That’s all in his hands now. The theater was a dream of Andy’s. It never was a long-term dream. It all happened at the last minute when his brother came with Ray Stevens to town. It has been such a joy for Andy and I both. It has given us a lot of happiness. But it is time to move on. Andy is no longer there, and it has needed to be in the right hands. It is very appropriate given the history that Andy had with the Osmond family. He had them on his show and gave them their start. … And the Lennon sisters were working with the Osmonds last year, and they’ll be together again this year. It is really like having family there. I like to see them and go backstage.”
Meeting Andy and Beyond“I was born in Buffalo, Minn. My family moved to southern California when I was 8 years old. We grew up going to the beaches every day in the summer. My brothers surfed and I body surfed, and we did all the California things. My husband and I met 28 years ago through a mutual friend. Andy was getting off of a Christmas tour. I was out in the desert, and we had a golf date. We met for lunch and played golf with his best friend and his wife. From there, it was history. … I’ve always been an athlete. I’ve been a runner since I was 18 years old. I ran the New York marathon when we first moved to Branson because I needed a project. … I’m big into animal rescue. I started an organization the third year we were here. It has been disbanded only because it was a lot of work at the time. … We’ve brought many animals home over the years. I have horses, and I have cattle and a ranch. I raise Black Angus to sell for beef. And I play a lot of golf.”
Hitting the Mark“My goal is to get my friends and the people that know me and knew my husband – not all of whom are in this area – to get them involved whether they attend or send in a check. My goal is to tap into some of my friends, as well as get others to attend. There are many ways to participate. You don’t have to go. You could buy a table and send friends. You could send money. … Andy was blessed to have a voice, No. 1, and had a lot of different ways to reach out to those who needed it. He was kind of an understated giver. He had certain things he donated to. He was a big (supporter) of medical research for asthma, (and) Boys & Girls Clubs was a very big thing to my husband and myself. I’m still involved back in Palm Springs and also here. Cancer, surprisingly, was never one of the things we were that involved with. But that’s an area, now, where I can reach out.”
