SANTA ROSA, Calif., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- R. Todd Williams, brother of comedian Robin Williams and co-founder of a popular California winery, died this week at the age of 69.
After spending a career using his outgoing personality to build Toad Hollow Vineyards into a popular Sonoma County attraction, Williams succumb to complications from heart surgery he received last month, the Los Angeles Times said Saturday.
Since Williams helped create Todd Hollow Vineyards in 1993, the winery has grown in popularity and last year alone it managed to sell more than 100,000 cases of wine.
Following Williams' death Tuesday, the current controller of the winery reminisced about Williams' ability to use that personal energy to build his business from the ground up.
"He was a great storyteller, boisterous, fun-loving and a friend to everyone he met," Erik Thorson said. "Certainly, he was a showman, and I think that was a large part in how he built his business."
In addition to his more famous brother, he is survived by his wife Frankie and another brother, McLaurin Smith.
