Lisa Williams has 'mixed emotions' as she signs off her final morning show Friday

Lisa Williams is signing off Friday for the final time as host of AM800 CKLW's The Morning Drive in Windsor, Ont.

Williams has been a fixture in the community for decades, with a 38-year career in the broadcast industry.

'It's a little overwhelming … [and] extremely humbling," Williams told Windsor Morning's Amy Dodge ahead of her last show.

"I've taken extended leaves before … but you always know you're going back. This time [it's] different. I've got mixed emotions."

Williams, who grew up in Windsor after her family moved to the city when she was in Grade 4, said the time is right for her to retire, noting that she has aging parents that she really wants to help and spend more time with.

She said there are also other important things happening right now, including two of her children getting married.

AM800 has praised Williams's passion for sharing stories affecting the local community, saying this has resonated with listeners and played a pivotal role in supporting the station.

Williams said she enjoyed sharing those stories, along with her co-host Mike Kakuk.

"What I love so much about coming into work every day is, you know, the fun and the information that we get out there on the air every morning, and how accomplished we feel at the end of the show when we've done a really good one," Williams said.

"But more than that, it's behind the scenes chatter that we have, the camaraderie that we share. A lot of people can identify with [that] when they're at work and really get along with their coworkers. That's the kind of stuff I really miss."

'It's been so much fun'

Kakuk said working with Williams allowed him to be himself.

"It's been so much fun … you have a big connection with who you're co-hosting this show with. You spend a lot of time together and you got to have chemistry and you got to have fun along with getting the information out," Kakuk said.

"After a while, it just kind of becomes second nature if you do find that person. And I think we've been lucky that it's worked over the 20 years that it's just kind of a natural flow between the two of us."

Lisa Williams and co-host Mike Kakuk. (Amy Dodge/CBC)

Melissa Schultz, AM800's program director, said Williams is a leader in Windsor-Essex, and a dependable voice in the community each morning.

"[It's been] 38 years of Lisa on air. I've only had the privilege of working with her for the past six, and I'm all choked up about it, so I can't imagine how the rest of the people in this building are feeling and how the entire community is feeling,  because I know how sad I am that Lisa is leaving us." Schultz said.

"But I'm also really happy and excited for her. She's definitely ready for this next chapter of her life."

While she won't be tuning in at 5 a.m., Williams said she will still be listening to the show.

"I'll be tired. That's another reason I'm retiring. I'm just tired. Getting up at three every day it's a grind and the older you get, the harder it becomes to do," she said.

"But I'm a news junkie too. I love our community. I love to know what's happening every day. I will have a hard time not calling in to give my opinion on things, but I will certainly be listening — maybe more at seven than five.