While traveling to a scheduled New Year 's show in Canton , Ohio , the driver found Williams dead on the backseat of the car during a stop in Oak Hill , West Virginia . " Your Cheatin ' Heart " was released at the end of January 1953 . Propelled by Williams ' death , the song and the A-side " Kaw-Liga " became a hit , selling over a million records . Billboard initially described the songs as " superlative tunes and performances " , emphasizing the sales potential . Within a short time from its release , the song reached number one on '' Billboard 's '' Top C&W Records , where it remained for six weeks
found Williams dead
Death of Hank Williams
Your Cheatin' Heart