R.I.P.: Illinois, WVA Broadcaster Russ Withers

Russ Withers

W. Russell "Russ" Withers, Jr. founder and owner of Withers Broadcasting Companies which owns six television stations and 30 radio stations died Friday night at his home in Mount Vernon, Ill.

He was 76.

Withers began his radio career in 1955 during his freshman year of college in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, MO at KGMO 1550 AM where he worked both on-air and in sales. He joined LIN Broadcasting in 1961 and headed to Nashville where he worked first as an air personality, and then transitioned to sales. In 1972 Withers struck out on his own, starting his own company with the purchase of KGMO

Across Southern Illinois, Withers owned and operated radio stations WROY/WRUL in Carmi, WEBQ in Harrisburg, WMCL in McLeansboro, WREZ in Metropolis, WYNG in Mount Carmel, WMIX in Mount Vernon, and WISH in Galatia.  He also operated television stations in Michigan and West Virginia.

He served as chairman of the Mt. Vernon Airport Authority, Convention and Visitor's Bureau and was the former chairman of the Illinois Public Airport Association.

The Illinois Broadcasting Association also named him Broadcaster of the year in 2005. A year later the West Virginia Broadcasters Association gave him the same honor.

Withers more recently served on the Saga Communications board of directors.