Ted Williams, the Columbus homeless man who made national headlines for his "golden voice," was spotted inside a convenience store on Thursday night, just days after he left a rehabilitation center where he was receiving treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
Williams was rumored to have been in Los Angeles to work but several central Ohioans said they spotted him in the Columbus area this week, 10TV's Shayla Reaves reported.
Williams was one of several people who entered Speedway, located at 5040 S. Walnut St., near U.S. Route 23., at about 10 p.m.
Employee Josh Campbell said that he immediately recognized Williams.
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"Ted walked in, and I knew him right off the bat when he walked in," Campbell said. "He finally started talking and you knew right away he's Ted Williams because he's the man with the voice."
Azal-Lynn Jones said that she accidentally left her debit card with the cashier and when she returned inside to pick it up, she spotted Williams.
"I was trying to take a picture of him through the window and it didn't turn out real well," Jones said. "I waited until he (came) out and had them take a picture. All I was thinking is I just (wanted) to prove to everybody that he was in South Bloomfield."
Jones sent the picture of her and Williams to 10TV News.
Williams picked up coffee, snacks and the latest issue of Star Magazine that had an article about his journey from life on the streets to a celebrity.
Williams entered a South Padre Island, Texas, rehabilitation facility with the help of talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw to receive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction but left there earlier this week, 10TV News reported.
Williams' manager also said that he will not appear on the Dr. Phil show again, because Williams did not like the way the talk show host quote "spun" the show.
On Monday, McGraw released a statement that said, "Ted was given the chance to voluntarily enter a drug rehabilitation facility in order to help him in dealing with his dependency on drugs and alcohol. In that it is voluntary, the decision to remain in treatment is Ted's to make. We certainly hope that he continues his commitment to sobriety, and we will continue to help and support him in any way that we can. We wish him well."
Williams made national headlines after a video appeared on the Columbus Dispatch Web site about him.
The clip that was filmed by Columbus Dispatch videographer Doral Chenoweth III, showed Williams standing near the ramp from Hudson Street and Interstate 71, demonstrating his voice.
A sign he held read, "I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times."
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Previous Stories:
January 27, 2011:
No News Conference For 'Golden Voice' Williams
January 24, 2011:
'Golden Voice' Ted Williams Leaves Texas Rehab
January 21, 2011:
Girlfriend Of 'Golden Voice' Williams Accepts Dr. Phil's Rehab Offer
January 20, 2011:
Between Discovery, Rehab, 'Golden Voice' Used Drugs, Alcohol
January 19, 2011:
'Golden Voice' Williams Enters Rehab
January 13, 2011:
Homeless Radio Man Headed To Rehab
January 13, 2011:
Promoter Cancels Homeless Radio Man's Appearances
January 11, 2011:
Homeless Radio Man Briefly Held By L.A. Police
January 7, 2011:
Former Rehab Roommate Says Williams' Story Will Inspire Others
January 6, 2011:
'Golden Voice' Williams Reunites With Mother
January 5, 2011:
Offers From MTV, Cleveland Cavaliers Coming To Man With 'Golden Voice'
January 4, 2011:
Video Of 'Golden Voiced' Panhandler Goes Viral
