CMT News

SunTrust Bank senior vice president Brian Williams died Saturday (July 8) in a swimming accident while boating with his friends and family on Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tenn. As founder and director of SunTrust's sports and entertainment division on Nashville's Music Row, Williams was the bank's industry representative to major record labels, publishing companies, music industry executives and superstar celebrities. After establishing the bank's music industry division in 1988, Williams moved the operation to new offices in 1990 to create the first full-service bank on Music Row. Williams is survived by his wife Marion, a former publicist for the RCA Label Group in Nashville, and two children. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (July 12) at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 4815 Franklin Pike in Nashville. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Sound and Speed, a charity benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Victory Junction. Memorial donations may be sent to SunTrust, 1026 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212.