Ty Wansley, who for 35 years was a successful broadcaster in Chicago and St. Louis, died on Wednesday, May 6 at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital from congestive heart failure. He was 63 years old.
Wansley was a native of St. Louis, MO where he attended Jefferson Community College. He started his broadcasting as a newscaster in the 1970’s at two of St. Louis’ powerhouse radio stations, KWK and KATZ. He moved to Chicago for a stint as the National News Director of the Sheridan Network.
Wansley returned to St. Louis to become National News Director of Amaturo Broadcasting; overseeing the news departments of radio stations in St. Louis, Miami, Houston, and Detroit. In 1979, Wansley again traveled to Chicago, where he headed the news department of WBMX and WJPC radio.
In 1982, Wansley became a popular talk show host at WVON radio with his program, Tell Ty. The show’s popularity prompted WLS Radio to pair him with colorful politician and prominent attorney Edward R. Vrdolyak. Wansley and Vrdolyak enjoyed immense success on Chicago’s airwaves, which included a popular collaboration on WJJD-A.M.
At the time of his passing Ty was the Information Director for iHeartMedia’s Chicago Urban Network. Weekday mornings, he provided news and commentaries on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on WVAZ-FM, and Angela & Mark in the A.M. on WGRB-AM.
In addition to his news and commentaries, Ty was the host of two highly rated talk shows: Chicago Speaks and Chicago Insight. In addition to his radio career, Wansley has hosted the T.V. news magazine, Urban Street.
Wansley has been a featured guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as being showcased on the Jim Leher News Hour, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, ABC, NBC and CNN network news. Ty has also been touted in feature stories published by Emerge and Jet Magazines.
A memorial service will be held in Chicago on Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Progressive Community Church, 56 E 48th Street. There will also be a memorial service held in St. Louis the weekend of May 14.
Remembrances can be offered by clicking here.
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