SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — One half of the beloved South Dakota comedy team Williams and Ree died over the weekend.
Terry Ree passed away from unspecified causes. Williams and Ree performed for over fifty years together, sharing the stage with names such as Garth Brooks, the Oak Ridge Boys and Tim McGraw. Over the years the duo was very gracious with KELOLAND News and often made themselves available to talk with us.
Terry Ree and Bruce Williams met in College at Black Hills State. Ree from South Dakota and Williams from Idaho.
“We are Williams and Ree live and direct from Spearfish South Dakota.”Bruce talked to us from his home in Nashville and said last Wednesday they gathered at Terry’s house.
“We had just a good old fashioned prayer gathering and guitar pull and sang country music. he even sang a verse to a song which hasn’t sung in several months now but it was pretty incredible, pretty emotional,” Bruce said.
Williams and Ree were music partners for 56 years. Billed as “The Indian and the White Guy,” the comedy duo hit it big. They had their own TV Show playing at the Grand Ole Opry and traveling the country performing. But they always came back to entertain in their home state. Here’s a portion of an interview they did with KELOLAND News in 1981 as they were on the rise.”When we started out we never planned to be big superstars, said Terry. And so far that plan is working out, said Bruce. “It’s been working real well for about 13 years now,” said Terry. They found humor in their ethnicity. Here’s part of their act that had the audience laughing.Terry: We certainly do not intend to offend anyone, we ask that you please bear in mind at all times that we are all the same.Bruce: We are the pig people.Terry: We ask that you please remember we are all the same.Bruce: Beautiful.Terry: Even though we may comment on your very own ethnic background, remember we are all the same. I’m Indian you are white.Bruce: Caucasian. Terry: Caucasian honky same darn thing you know. Remember that as we progress here tonight. Here in this beautiful country which you white people stole from my people. We are now all the same.
Over the years they would perform with some of the biggest names in country music.In 1987, they shared the stage with The Judds at the South Dakota State Fair.
“Actually this is the first time we’ve ever played the big stage here,” Terry told the crowd.
Williams wants people to know that his work partner of 5 decades was a good family man and great guy. Ever the comedian, Terry would appreciate any compliment that came with a little humor.
“He could light up a room. He had a huge head which helped, it was like a Macy’s Day float,” said Bruce. And he would just command a room and that was his thing he just loved doing that, pontificating and entertaining. Boy, throw a guitar at him and he could sing, and play and have people in the palm of his hand.”
Williams and Ree were inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.Terry Ree was 75 and leaves behind a wife and two sons.
