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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

Andy Williams talks about his bladder cancer

Andy Williams (Shizuo Kambayashi / Associated Press)
Andy Williams (Shizuo Kambayashi / Associated Press)

Andy Williams, 83, has bladder cancer. He announced it at a concert Saturday in Branson, Mo.

As the celebrities of my childhood age and pass away, the memories stir.

One of the first grown up movies I ever saw was I'd Rather Be Rich at the Fox Theatre in 1964. My sister and her husband took me along for some reason (I was in third grade) and I was astonished at the couples in the dark theater making out. I kept staring. Once couple behind me finally told me to quit staring.

And when his ex-wife, Claudine Longet, was accused of shooting her skier husband, in 1976, it was THE story, especially Andy's devotion to her, and the Saturday Night Live skits that followed soon became infamous.

Just how we mark time by the aging of family members, we do it with famous people, too.

(S-R archives photo)



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.