KNOXVILLE, TN — The Knoxville community is mourning the loss of Carly Williams, a beloved and experienced hairstylist, who tragically died in a car accident on Thursday, December 26th, 2024. The accident, which occurred on Clinton Highway around 1 a.m., claimed the lives of two individuals, leading to the closure of Bell Stanley Road for several hours.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, but no preliminary report has been issued yet to pinpoint the cause or officially confirm the identities of the deceased. However, social media tributes have already identified Williams as one of the victims.
Candice Buchman Dawson shared her grief on social media, saying, “Carly Williams you were literally my whole childhood and my middle school very best friend. I can’t believe you’re gone and I don’t understand why? They say we’re supposed to trust God’s plan but I don’t understand this one and I never will. I don’t have words and my mind is numb. Rest easy beautiful girl.”
Williams was well-known in Knoxville for her work at Gnarly Carly Hair and Salon Aquarius, where she had been a hair stylist and colorist for over a decade. She also worked at Mane + Co and was a color specialist/stylist at Salon Aquarius Knoxville. Her passion for her craft was evident in her work, which had been nominated multiple times for the prestigious One Shot Hair Awards.
Beyond her professional life, Williams was known for her love of Southern food, her affinity for dressing in black, and her enjoyment of the vibrant lifestyle in Miami, listed as her favorite vacation spot on the Salon Aquarius website. She was recently engaged to Jeffery Wilkerson in November, adding a personal layer of tragedy to her sudden passing.
The community has started to express their condolences and share memories of Williams, highlighting her impact both professionally and personally. As the investigation continues, friends, family, and clients of Williams are left to cope with the shock and sorrow of her untimely departure.