Ernest Williams III

Ernest Williams III, who died November 7, 2025, in Nashville, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on

October 12, 1941.

He graduated from Virginia Episcopal School and Washington & Lee University, where he was a member

of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Before earning an MBA from Cornell University, Ernie served as a

U.S. Navy radar man on the USS Dehaven Destroyer, a support ship for the USS Maddox.

He began his investment career with Chemical Bank in New York as a securities analyst and portfolio

manager. In 1975 he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation as an officer with C & S

Invesco in Atlanta. Ernie moved to Nashville in 1976 to help manage Vanderbilt University’s

endowment, initially as assistant treasurer then acting treasurer. In 1981 he founded The Southern

Fiduciary Group, a SEC-registered investment counseling firm, and served as president until 2007, when

he merged his firm with Lee Danner & Bass. He never retired and continued to invest for individuals and

foundations until his death.

Ernie was a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum for 31 years, a trustee for 17

years and the long-time chair of the Museum’s Finance Committee. He was also a member of Belle

Meade Country Club and an investment committee member of St. George’s Episcopal Church.

Ernie was a value investor, which describes him perfectly. He had control of his ego and the ability to

wait without tiring of waiting. He possessed a keen information filter and had the raw courage to think

and act contrary to the group without feeling foolish. One co-worker simply said, “Ernie was 1 of 1.”

Known for his subtle humor, curiosity and knowledge of arcane and contemporary topics, he always

prompted a great conversation. Life without Ernie just won’t be the same.

As a boy he learned to fly fish at the Lynchburg Camp on the Cow Pasture River in Bath County,

Virginia. Fly fishing was a lifelong love.

Ernie is predeceased by his mother, Marjorie Owen Williams, and father, Ernest Williams II. He is

survived by his wife, Jerry, and two sisters, Tracy Williams Barron of Concord, Massachusetts and

Marjorie Williams Coward of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is also survived by numerous nieces,

nephews and godchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on November 18 at St. George’s Episcopal, with visitation

beginning at 1:30 p.m. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame &

Museum board of directors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Alive Hospice, St.

George’s Episcopal Church or a charity of one’s choice