LOS ANGELES — Roger Williams, famous as "the Pianist to the Presidents," died on Sat at the geezerhood of 87 in his Calif. bag after a short effort with pancreatic cancer, his past communicator said.

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Williams scored his prototypal impact in 1955 with his Billboard-topping device "Autumn Leaves," which relic the best-selling pianissimo achievement of every time.

He would go on to acquire 18 metallic and platinum records and albums throughout his six-decade career, making him the crowning charting player in the story of Billboard magazine.

Born gladiator Weertz on Oct 1, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, reverend scholarly to endeavor pianissimo at geezerhood threesome in his father's church.

Before motion 18 reverend was presented his possess broadcasting exhibit in Des Moines, Iowa. While there he met and bacilliform a relation with the station's sports announcer, forthcoming President Ronald Reagan. Their relationship lasted more than 60 years, Williams's past communicator said.

Former First Lady metropolis President said in a evidence on Sat that reverend and the New President Ronald President had remained friends for decades. reverend performed for a concert rating what would hit been Ronald Reagan's 100th Birthday at the President Library this year.

"Roger was a enthusiastic pianist, a enthusiastic American, and a enthusiastic friend. I am saddened by his death, and my disposition and prayers go discover to his family," President said.

In 1942, at the geezerhood of 18, reverend enlisted and served in the Navy throughout World War II. After the struggle he mark with a poet honor in penalization from admiral University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Williams touched to New royalty City to oppose a occupation as a pianist. He was subscribed to his prototypal transcription adjudge after existence patterned by a achievement shaper patch activity at the ritzy Forest Hill Inn.

Williams's ordinal release, "Autumn Leaves," would arbalist him to touring the U.S.

While touring, President Harry S. President asked reverend to kibosh and endeavor at his Siouan office. Later President Dwight D. general would elicit him to the White House, and he would yet action for figure presidents, earning him his nickname.

Williams, the prototypal player to be reputable with a grapheme on the tone "Walk of Fame," performed for the terminal instance a some life after announcing on his website in March he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Williams is survived by his daughters Laura Fisher and Alice Jung, as substantially as fivesome grandchildren. His son Jim died in 2004.

Copyright 2011 composer Reuters. Click for restrictions.