Phil Williams Biography
Phil Williams is an American General Assignment, Political, and Investigative Reporter working for WTVF News Channel 5, serving as the chief investigative reporter. He has been working for the station since October 1998, after working for WKRN in Nashville, Tennessee, for 6 years.
Phil Williams Age
Williams was born on January 8th in Columbia, Tennessee, but has not disclosed the year in which he was born. However, he might be in his 70s, judging from his appearance. Williams celebrates his birthday on January 8th, as evidenced by his Facebook post on January 8, 2025, captioned, “Our “NewsChannel 5 Investigates” tradition continues – lunch to help me celebrate another trip around the sun! 🎉 🥳 🎉.”
Phil Williams Height
Williams stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
Phil Williams Family
Williams has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight; hence, he has not disclosed any details about his parents. It is also unknown if Williams has any siblings.
Phil Williams Wife
Williams is a married man with a son, but is very private about his personal life; therefore, he has not disclosed details about his wife or his son.
Phil Williams Net Worth
Williams has an estimated net worth of between $1 million-$5 million, which he has earned through his successful career as a General Assignment, Political, and Investigative Reporter.
Phil Williams Salary
Williams earns an annual salary ranging from $ 45,000 – $ 110,500.
Phil Williams WTVF News Channel 5
Williams is working at WTVF News Channel 5 alongside other famous WTVF News Channel 5 meteorologists, anchors, and reporters, including;
- Jon Burton
- Eugene Daniel
- Ben Hall
- Nikki Hauser
- Jason Lamb
- Steve Layman
- Katie Melvin
- Patsy Montesinos
- Eric Pointer
- Kim Rafferty
- Carrie Sharp
Phil Williams Education
Williams joined Middle Tennessee State University in 1981 after completing his high school education. In 1985, he graduated Summa Cum Laude With Distinction In University Honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications.
Phil Williams Career
Williams is working for WTVF News Channel 5, serving as the chief investigative reporter. His work can be seen in a prominent Nashville political strategist’s comment: “If the press calls, call your PR person. If Phil Williams calls, call your lawyer because you’re in trouble.”
Williams has spent over 30 years setting the standard for important investigative journalism both nationally and locally. In this capacity, he has made a difference in the community and won some of the industry’s highest honors and acclaim from his peers.
Williams regularly speaks to journalism students about his passion for investigative reporting. Before joining WTVF in 1998, he was an investigative reporter at WKRN from 1992 to 1998. He also reported for The Tennessean from 1986 to 1992. Moreover, he spent a year reporting for Florida Today.
Williams previously sat on the board of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). He also created and led the endeavor to establish the Don Bolles Medal, which acknowledges investigative journalists who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in holding out against intimidation or efforts to conceal the truth about matters of public importance
Awards
Williams received the John Chancellor Excellence in Journalism Award in 2023. This award recognizes brave reporters with character and integrity for collective professional achievements. He serves as the first local TV journalist to receive the award.
Williams has received 5 duPont-Columbia Awards and 5 George Foster Peabody Awards. He was the first TV journalist to ever win a Toner Prize for his political reports.
Williams began his career as a print reporter and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. He has also appeared in multiple lists of the most influential people in Nashville and the state of Tennessee.
Williams has received the Scripps-Howard Award, the IRE Medal, the Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism, the George Polk Award for TV Reporting, and was a Goldsmith Award finalist. He has also obtained many National Headliner Awards, a National Emmy, and many regional Emmys.
Williams has repeatedly appeared on the Nashville Post magazine’s “In Charge” list of the people shaping life in Middle Tennessee. He was also mentioned on the now-defunct Business Tennessee’s “Power 100” list of the most powerful people in the state
Phil Williams Social Media Platforms
He is active on his social media accounts and often posts on his Instagram, Facebook, and X(formerly known as Twitter). He has over 47K followers on Facebook, over 15K followers on Instagram, and over 700 on X.