The addiction issues led to the downfall of their marriage. Audrey even told Hank he needed to choose between her and alcohol. On New Years’ Eve 1951, Audrey had enough. There had been numerous infidelities, including Hank’s affair with a woman named Bobbie Jett, which resulted in a daughter, Jett Williams (born after her father’s death). She called her husband and said it was officially over and he allegedly replied “Audrey, I won’t live another year without you.”
The following June, the couple was officially divorced. Audrey won the house, Hank Jr. and half of Hank’s future royalties if she never remarried, which she never did.
Despite their disagreements, Audrey Williams had a profound impact on Hank Williams — both personally and professionally.
“Had it not been for Mother, I just don’t think Daddy would have gotten to Nashville, unless somebody else could of got a hold of him and pushed,” Lycrecia William Hoover told The New York Times. “Daddy, he liked to entertain. He was a genius, but Mother was the mastermind behind getting him where he needed to be.”
Hank married Billie Jean Jones just months later on October 18, 1952. He died soon after on January 1, 1953. Following his death, Audrey paid Billie Jean $30,000 to stop referring to herself as “Hank Williams’ Widow” and she complied. Billie Jean later married country singer Johnny Horton and became Billie Jean Horton.
