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Friend Of 70 Years Remembers George Klein’s Life & Legacy

The Mid-South is mourning the loss of Elvis Presley’s best friend, George Klein. The 83-year-old local radio icon and TV personality died just before 7:00 p.m. ...
Friend Of 70 Years Remembers George Klein’s Life & Legacy

The Mid-South is mourning the loss of Elvis Presley’s best friend, George Klein. The 83-year-old local radio icon and TV personality died just before 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night after battling cancer.

Local 24 News’ Tish Clark met with Klein’s long-time friend of more than 70 years.

“I don’t know what it’s like to have a friend of 70 years until he passed, and I had realized what I’d lost,” says Jerry Williams.

It’s tough for Williams to picture life without George Klein.

“I don’t know how to describe the emotion. It’s just incredible,” he says.

Williams says he and Klein were best friends for more than 70 years and did everything together, even after Klein’s 2nd battle with cancer.

“I’ve been very fortunate, very blessed in my life. Have had those successes. But none were more than my friendship with George,” says Williams.

Klein had a pretty impressive career and a lifetime of amazing memories with friends like Williams and Elvis Presley. Klein met Elvis when the two were students at Humes High School. Elvis was the best man in Klein’s wedding. And Klein was as a pallbearer at The King’s funeral.

Klein was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2013.

A handful of family and friends were with Klein when he died, including his friend Jerry.

“Tell him how much he was loved. And we knew he understood because he was squeezing hands and raising eyebrows and opening his eyes on occasion,” he says. “Knowing I can’t call him again. We won’t be going to dinner again. We won’t go do things again. George Klein. That’s what I’ll miss most.”

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