MI Radio: Longtime Midland Personality Gary Williams Retires

Gary Williams

Gary Williams has been described as a professional, a team player, a practical jokester, dependable and a tradition at WMPX 1490 AM /WMRX 97.7 FM in Midland, Michigan.

Now he prefers to be described as retired.

The Midland Daily News reports the veteran radio personality bantered his way through the final edition of “The Morning Show” with fellow radio personality Chris Schaeffer Friday, capping a 37-year career that began at WXOX in Bay City. He has been at WMPX/WMRX for 32 years.

It was at WXOX that Robin Gary Williams was given the moniker that became his radio name, so as not be confused with the popular comedian.

“I told them I don’t care what you call me, just hire me,” he said.

The affable Williams said he has seen a lot of employees come and go.

“I’ve worked with a lot of people over the years and usually it is them leaving. It’s strange I’m the one taking off,” he said.

“When I first started we were actually disc jockeys back then. We played 45s, 33 1/3 rpm records. That is where our music came from. After that it changed to recording tape, we played music off what we called ‘carts,’ cartridges,” he said. “Then in the 80s compact discs made their way, that was a great innovation. Now, CDs aren’t played. It is all computerized.”

Williams said he and his wife AnMaree will be doing some traveling, and he plans on doing a lot more bike riding.