Andy Williams of Moon River fame has cancer

The Tri-Lakes News of Branson Missouri reported that the silver-haired "Moon River" singer Andy Williams appeared the Moon River Theatre Saturday night and told the audience "I do have cancer of the bladder," Williams said. "But that is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing. They're kicking it, and they're winning more and more every year. And I'm going to be one of them."

The singer had missed performances this fall due to the previously undisclosed medical condition. He said that he would likely miss his holiday schedule as well, and vowed to return next year to celebrate his 75th year in show business.
 
Williams had a string of hits in the 1950s and '60s, including "Can't Get Used to Losing You" and "Butterfly, but he is best known for his version of "Moon River." He earned 18 gold and three platinum albums in his career.

Williams hosted annual Christmas specials on television and performed Christmas shows on the road for many years. His 1963 recording, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," is a Christmas standard.

The Iowa native also hosted an Emmy-winning variety television program "The Andy Williams Show," from 1962-71. He published an autobiography, "Moon River and Me: A Memoir," in 2009.