Longtime media broadcaster dies

Longtime media broadcaster and journalist Dick Willingham died last week. He was 82.

Willingham, who retired from broadcasting in 1998 after working as news director for Missouri State University's NPR affiliate KSMU, had long been the face of KY3 before moving to the radio station in 1987, according to KY3.com. Willingham, who also served as a voice on KWTO radio, died Sept. 13 after a short illness, according to his obituary posted on Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home's website.

"To me, the content of the news was the important thing," Willingham said in a June 1998 interview with KY3, downplaying his own presence in the news.

A memorial service is scheduled 2:30 p.m. today at University Heights Baptist Church, 1010 S. National Ave. A visitation was held yesterday, according to his obituary.

Willingham is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Susan and his sister Billie Tucker, as well as one niece and one nephew.