W. Russell “Russ” Withers, Jr., founder and owner of Withers Broadcasting Companies, passed away at the age of 77 with his beloved daughter Dana at his bedside.
Russ is survived by his daughter, three brothers and sister. His daughter, Dana Withers owns WNSV and served alongside him to operate Withers Broadcasting Companies. Russ was born in 1936 in Cape Girardeau Missouri and Graduated from Cape Central High School in 1954 later serving in the United States Army. In 1958 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southeast Missouri State University. Russ began his broadcasting career as an announcer/salesman at KGMO in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Withers Broadcasting Companies are known throughout the world as a leading media operation with four television stations and 30 radio stations in the United States. A few important and area Withers Broadcasting Companies key milestones include:
1972 – KGMO 100.7 FM, Cape Girardeau, MO
1972 – KAPE 1550 AM, Cape Girardeau, MO
1973 – WMIX 940 AM, Mount Vernon, IL
1973 – WMIX 94.1 FM, Mount Vernon, IL
1998 – WRXX 95.3 FM, Centralia, IL
1998 – WILY 1210 AM, Centralia, IL
A memorial service to honor Russ’s life will be held at Hughey Funeral Home, located at 1314 Main St, Mt. Vernon, IL, on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014, at 10 AM.