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Beloved Drummer Andy Williams, 49, Has Died After Motorcycle Crash

By Josh Shepherd
Williams
Former Casting Crowns drummer and longtime music teacher Andy Williams died on Friday, succumbing to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on June 27. (Photos: Grace Chapel Fairview / Facebook)

Andy Williams, 49, former drummer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Casting Crowns, died on Friday morning at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Less than two weeks prior, on June 27, he was struck by a car while riding his motorcycle from his Franklin home to nearby Grace Chapel Fairview Church for a Sunday service.

The church posted the update on Friday afternoon. “He fought a great fight, but the injuries that he suffered took a toll on his physical body,” read the message, denoted as from his wife, Kelly, their two sons Aden and Asher; and Andy’s sister Mary Catherine. “We celebrate that Andy is in the arms of his Savior and we are grateful for the memories and laughter that Andy brought to all who knew him.”

In the statement, immediate family requested privacy. This update also appeared on a GoFundMe page organized by Nashville radio veteran Karla Henry, who launched the fundraiser to defray medical and personal expenses for the Williams family whom she has long known.

Endorsing the GoFundMe effort, his church posted they wanted to give the family “the financial resources they will need in the weeks and months ahead. We have set a goal of $250,000, but we want to bless this family above and beyond.”

As of noon Sunday, over $70,000 of the $250,000 goal had been raised.

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For popular band Casting Crowns, Williams was their drummer from 2001 to 2009. He toured nationally and can be heard on their first three studio albums – “Casting Crowns,” “Lifesong” and “The Altar and the Door” – each certified as platinum.

Since forming in 1999, Casting Crowns has sold more than 10 million albums and won a Grammy and several Dove Awards. During his last year with the band, Williams and his wife formed an independent side project called Soul Sister Sally, with Andy on drums, Kelly on vocals and their friend Darren Buckner as guitarist.

Some family friends paid tribute to Williams in social media posts with photos.

Fellow Christian musician DaRon Maughon wrote: “What an incredible soul Andy was. Never without a smile, a kind word, or an encouraging handshake, bear hug, or high five! We played music together, laughed together, shared deep thoughts about God, music, life, and even BAMA and Packer football.”

Similarly, Jennifer Akers, associate worship pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, wrote: “Andy was an unapologetically joyful, passionate, energetic, and hilarious person to be around… So thankful he is with Jesus, but he will be missed, so missed.”

Williams taught drums to countless students in the Nashville area. He served as a drum mentor during 2014 at Roots Academy in Brentwood. In 2015, he started his own drum school called The KungFu Kick Drum where he taught practical and technical aspects of drumming on an individual basis—as well as an online school.

One of his students’ parents sent a note to his wife Kelly, who shared it with permission on July 4. “Being a drum & bass teacher is just his access ministry to guiding hearts,” the parent wrote. “He may have moved the masses hearts in a band, but he moves a generation to be better people while guiding their hearts by being a friend to his mentees.”

On social media, Andy Williams used the moniker “Bald Wunda” (‘bald wonder’) and his last Facebook post, dated January 8, poignantly reflected his Christian convictions in hindsight.

“I encourage you to read your Bibles and stay true to the word of God,” wrote Williams. “It IS infallible AND sufficient for every aspect of life. … The day is coming when we will ALL be held accountable for what we’ve done on this earth. Make it count! Not for the sake of world but the sake of Jesus who is the one true King.”

His love for family and creativity was reflected in an online collaboration with his son Aden. In a YouTube channel titled “As Father and Son,” the two recorded dozens of videos commenting on Star Wars, Marvel comics and similar film franchises, often drawing out the moral themes.

Two favorite quotes listed on his Facebook page capture different aspects of his personality.  One is his life motto: “Music is a precious gift from God… Don’t waste it!” The other, from the 1971 fantasy musical film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” captures the sense of humor recalled by so many: “A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.”

“To know Andy Williams is to love him. It’s that simple.” stated his church in a July 1 post. Details of a memorial service and an official obituary have not been released.

Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his wife live in the Washington, D.C. area with their two children.

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