A Central Illinois radio legend has died.

81-year-old Orv Graham died Tuesday afternoon, after complications from pneumonia.

Orv's over 50 year radio career included becoming the longtime "Voice of Decatur" on WSOY-AM 1340, and ultimately its general manager.

Graham left the radio business in the 1980's to begin a second career in investments and health insurance.

He did features on WXFM Mount Zion for several years, and in 2009, he approached WEZC owner Randal J. Miller about purchasing 4 hours each Sunday morning on that station, selling advertising in the Decatur market and hosting what became "Sunday Morning Easy."

That program hit the air for the first time on Sunday, October 4th, 2009, being heard in the Clinton-Decatur area.   Graham continued the show until the first quarter of this year, when he became ill.

Miller said that Graham was one of his mentors, dating back to the 1980's, and added that not only will his family miss him, but so will his many listeners.

WEZC 95.9 FM will broadcast a tribute to Graham this Sunday morning from 8 to 9, and include the first hour of his first show.