I Didn't Come Here and I Ain't Leaving 16. Willie Nelson, left, and Farm Aid executive director Carolyn Mugar talk with reporters during a press conference prior to the start of the Farm Aid 2013 concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. People just say stuff.. My years with Connie were not noted for fidelity on my part. I never was. Of his longtime love affair with marijuana, Nelson writes in Its a Long Story that just as Ive always loved robust coffee beans and the strong buzz produced by the brew, I felt the same way about cannabis. . March 12, 2022. Nelson teamed up with Julio Iglesias for the ballad "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" (1982), a massive international success. A unique soul with a great personality has an amazing sense of humour, diligent and caring. Many artists have written songs about the hardships of being on the road. Willie Winford Nelson, 88, of North Wilkesboro passed away, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at his home. Published by Tampa Bay Times on May 12, 2021. The fifth edition of this two-day festival features national, regional and local bands performing on three outdoor stages plus one stage insid. His famous gospel song Family Bible draws from his early exposure to religious music. Updated on May 10, 2022. The road was Bobbie's second home. Willie Nelson, center, is shown on stage with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter, following the singing of "Amazing Grace," May 18, 1985 in Plains Ga. at Nelson's Plains Centennial Concert. PICTURES: Willie Nelson Through the Years. Willie Nelson Jr. enjoyed playing spades, loved watching western tv shows, and a big fan of Gun Smoke and Rifleman.</p> <p>He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Theodis Nelson, and son, Shyrone Nelson. But they did. Mr. Willie Nelson Jr. was born March 15, 1946, in Albany, Georgia to parents Willie Nelson Sr. and Marshall A. Nelson. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. From left, artist Willie Nelson and Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) wave to the crowd during the "Turn Out for Texas" concert and rally at Auditorium Shores on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 in Austin, Texas. "I Don't Go To Funerals" by Willie NelsonListen to Willie Nelson: https://WillieNelson.lnk.to/_listenYDWatch more videos by Willie Nelson:https://WillieNelso. Musicians Jamie Johnson, Zac Brown, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, and Darius Rucker perform on the 2012 CMT Music Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on June 6, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. Nelson also released a tongue-in-cheek music video of the song, celebrating his life despite dubious reports to the contrary. In . Singers Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett, right, perform with Lovett's Large Band at the annual ESPY awards show at New York's Radio City Music Hall, on February 13, 1995. Christmas Day in 1991 was one of the worst days in Willie Nelson's life. Still confirming atm, The radio station later confirmed they had been taken in by a hoax and that the rumors were fortunately untrue. Lets all take a moment to appreciate Nelson while hes still here. Funeral services will be . Entertainer Willie Nelson, right, appears at a rally in support of Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, at a farm in Charlotte, Vt., Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006. Martha Mc-Bride Nelson affectionately known as "Punkin" was born April 1, 1934, in Dallas, Texas to the late Mr. Forest McBride Sr. and Mrs. Willie Banks-McBride. Despite such difficulties, Nelson persevered, and several of his albums, including Across the Borderline (1993) and Healing Hands of Time (1994), reached the country Top 20. It kept my head filled with poetry., In 2015 it also led him to launch a new business venture Willies Reserve, a line of marijuana products grown and sold in the states where pot was already legal. When it comes to choosing a career path, it's common for people to take after their parents. I believe in taking my time. The longtime tobacco and pot smoker told NPR in 2012 that he gave up the former after two or three cases of pneumonia. We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Bobbie, who was a pianist, singer and a member of the band Willie Nelson and Family, passed away Thursday . Although the film was only mildly successful, it featured the song "On the Road Again," which earned Nelson an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Willie Nelson is now 88-years-old (born April 29, 1933). As the companys website states: For decades, as Willie Nelson and his band traveled from town to town, pot enthusiasts flocked to his shows. Willie Nelson's sister and bandmate, Bobbie Nelson, has died. Nelson wrote plenty of songs for other people and he also recorded tracks he didnt write. That album would be released several years later, and you . Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. The music played at a funeral will differ fairly widely from the music played at a celebration of life. In this song, Nelson talks about the importance of being able to forgive yourself and move forward. Country singer and songwriter Willie Nelson rose to prominence at the end of the 1960s and contributed to the "outlaw country" subgenre, which challenged the music industry conservatism of Nashville at the time. He also scored a Grammy that same year for the single "Lost Highway," a duet performed with Ray Price, whose recording of Night Life nearly a half-century before had been one of Nelsons earliest successes. Took me damn near a lifetime to get it right., Willie Nelson: American Outlaw, premiered Sunday, April 12, on A&E, and gave viewers a front-row seat at Nashvilles one night only Willie Nelson tribute concert featuring an incredible line up of performers including George Strait, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Norah Jones and The Little Willies and many more. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. A lot of his songs have become more introspective. Music this meaningful is well-suited to a memorial service its less overtly sad than funeral music, but not as cheerful as music played at a celebration of life service. Martha was the fifth (5th) of 13 children. The .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Korean War was raging but his military career was short-lived when persistent back problems from previous injuries led to a medical discharge nine months later. His contribution to culture and society can never be replicated. When it comes to choosing a career path, it's common for people to take after their parents. Willie Nelson waves to the crowd after performing on in Grand Prairie, Texas on April 4, 2003. Pick Up the Tempo from Honeysuckle Rose, 7. Lemon & Sons Funeral Home, Inc. McDonough Chapel in McDonough, GA.According to the funeral home, the followi Around this time, Nelsons collaborative endeavors found fertile ground as well. At their hearts, both genres are about struggle. Age and health concerns certainly havent slowed Willie Nelson down. My phrasing is peculiar to me. advice. Nelson never lost touch with his farming roots, and in 1985 along with fellow rockers Neil Young and John Mellencamp he helped organize the first Farm Aid concert. Would you like to offer Willie B Nelsons loved ones a condolence message? But in 2019, he hit pause on a summer tour because lung problems flared up again. He announced the tours cancellation on Twitter: To my fans,Im sorry to cancel my tour, but I have a breathing problem that I need to have my doctor check out.Ill be backLove,Willie. You wouldnt think that reggae and country music would meld together so nicely, but Nelsons take on this classic Jimmy Cliff song is special. We celebrate the self-awareness, empathy, and wisdom of women in midlife. Services Guestbook Condolences. The same would be true of 1974s Phases and Stages. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Create a free online memorial to gather donations from loved ones. Nelson certainly hasnt lost any of his musical chops with age; he won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2023 with his record A Beautiful Time. How many death hoaxes can one man be victim to? In 1991, Nelson was dealt a devastating blow when his 33-year-old son Billy died on Christmas Day in what Nelson describes as a terrible accident in Its a Long Story. Jesse Jackson, second from left, embraces singer Willie Nelson as Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, right, and Rikki Klieman, wife of Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton, look on during funeral services for music legend Ray Charles at the First AME Church in Los Angeles, Friday, June 18, 2004. Though there was never any real question, Willie Nelson has still got it. In 1981, his lung collapsed while swimming in Maui, and in 2012, he canceled a Denver concert, citing problems due to the high altitude and emphysema, according to Rolling Stone. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Willie B Nelson to . He toured again in 2022, although some dates had to be canceled as a result of COVID-19 precautions. Send Sympathy Card. When it comes to singing a song, Ive got all the time in the world., His resistance to such efforts as well as his growing reputation as a hard-living, hard-drinking man only served to highlight his outsider status. January 15, 2001. There is no photo or video of Willie B Nelson.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. However, this isn't so much about death as it is the afterlife. The then-58-year-old Nelson was emerging from an IRS bill and working on his own music, as well as a gospel album with son Billy Nelson. The two star in the film which premieres in Austin, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 19, 1987. In 2004, Nelson started marketing his own brand of green fuel, BioWillie, a combination of diesel and biodiesel made from soybeans. In 1998, Nelson worked with producer Daniel Lanois on the album Teatro. Among the highlights from this period are The Great Divide (2002) and Countryman (2005), which incorporated elements of reggae. But rather than a plumber or a pastor, his dad just so happens to be a 10-time Grammy winner and one of the most renowned country singers of our time. forms. That was one of the most genuine, honest and real performances Ive ever witnessed, judge Luke Bryan told Wilson. Willie Nelson . Country music singer Willie Nelson and his children Amy, left, and Paula talk with first lady Rosalynn Carter at the White House after Nelson performed for members of the NASCAR in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 1978. for the Family. Its a matter of personal taste and tone. Bobbie Lee Nelson, beloved piano player, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2022 at her home in Austin, TX. The Truth About Willie Nelson's Talented Son, Lukas Nelson. He dropped out of college and once again joined his father on tour this time as the opening act. In 2008, he performed live in Amsterdam with rap icon Snoop Dogg, and the duo went on to work together on the video for "My Medicine." The Great Divide from The Great Divide, 20. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Annie D'Angelo was born on August 27, 1956, making her 65-years-old. 1. On "Live Every Day," he encourages the listener to live every single day like it's their last, because "one day you're gonna be . {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Photos from the Met Gala, the death of Naomi Judd, and more of this past week's top stories, Photos from the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala, Buffalo singer Matt Wilson moves on to Round 1 of 'American Idol', Buffalo singer Matt Wilson featured in 'American Idol' on Sunday, Adam Sandler among new event announcements, Get ready to groove to 'The Mid-Week Vibe' at the 9th Ward, Cobblestone Live announces lineup for July event, Ed Sheeran thanks Taylor Swift for linking him with Aaron Dessner, ABBA's 'Voyage' avatar concert in talks to go on a world tour, Rebel Wilson describes getting banned from Disneyland over 'illegal' bathroom selfie. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. This link will open in a new window. There are eight altogether (including a daughter he didn't know existed until 2012, but that's a story for another time). Veoletta Green. The family will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 12:00 until 1:00 on Saturday, prior to the service. Create a free website to honor a loved one who has passed away. March 13 at 2:00 PM at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive . As an original member of Willie's Family Band, "Sister Bobbie" was at her piano . He sold the song to his friend Paul Buskirk, a guitar teacher, for $50 in 1959. Nelson became involved with Ann Marie D'Angelo (Annie) after they met on the set of the TV movie Stagecoach. Willie Nelson has his own brand of weed known as Willie's Reserve. Chicagos WLS-AM set off another death rumor via social media on August 3, 2017: Multiple people in the Country music industry have told @JohnHowellWLS & @RamblinRay890 that Willie Nelson has passed. It was during this time Nelson first appeared on local radio. Vincent T Livingston from Marthasville, wrote on Nov. 13, 2022. "It seems like that's good for the whole world if we can start growing our own fuel instead of starting wars over it," said Nelson in a 2005 interview. I think we're all good and we're all bad. 10, 2022. In 1947 Nelson joined the gospel group Bud Fletcher and the Texans, which already featured Bobbie on piano. All thats left for Nelson is a return to the live stage. Always interested in different music styles, Nelson recorded his own takes on American standards on Stardust (1978), and his cover of Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell's "Georgia on My Mind" earned him his second Grammy Award for best country vocal performance. More and more people plan for a celebration of life for when they pass. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. LinkedIn. He first appeared in The Electric Horseman (1979) alongside Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and the following year he starred in Honeysuckle Rose (1980), in which he played a veteran country musician performer torn between his wife (played by Dyan Cannon) and the young singer (Amy Irving) who joins him on the road. To sort fact from fiction, we took a look at the origins of this gossip and do a little digging to find out how Willie Nelson is doing today. Country singer Willie Nelson reacts after sinking a 12-foot birdie putt at Indian Wells Country Club in Palm Springs, Calif., Jan. 19, 1983 during the first round of the Bob Hope Desert Classic. He even continues to experiment with genres and collaborate with unexpected artists. Willie Nelson always brought light . Sharing your dad with the world isnt fun. Willie Nelson . Play this at a Celebration of Life service, and be sure to serve a round of Bloody Marys to go with it. The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online Before this song, Willie Nelson was more popularly known as a songwriter rather than a performer. These are songs that I've written about my own life, and in a way they can be applied to any situation." With their grandparents, Willie and Bobbie attended their towns small Methodist church, where they received their earliest exposure to music. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. Nelson relieved Bob Hope in the tournament because Hope's eyes still bother him after having eye surgery. The Outlaws (1976), which also achieved both critical and commercial success. By 1970 Nelson had set up home in Ridgetop, Tennessee, and that year his house burned down. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Johnson died of a stroke on Jan. 10, 2001. His musical career took off from there. Marijuana is an herb and a flowerIf [God] put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 3rd 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home (100 Corporate Plaza Dr, LaGrange, GA 30241). Nelson was born to parents Ira Nelson and Myrle Greenhaw Nelson on January 1, 1931 in Abbott, Texas. Merle Haggard, left, and Willie Nelson accept their Duo of the Year award at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 10, 1983. In 2019, the seemingly ageless artist released Ride Me Back Home, its title track going on to win a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance. Songs about death are not what Nelson is known for but many of his tracks could make great funeral songs for his fans. Willie recently shared a track from his upcoming Last Man Standing album entitled 'Something You Get Through.' This song was written by Nelson and his producer Buddy Cannon, and it is very personal to him. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground from Honeysuckle Rose, 3. This link will open in a new window. If youre planning a service for your grandparents or other older people, these tracks may resonate with the mourners. All Rights Reserved. Nelson would also star alongside Kristofferson and Cash in the 1986 television movie Stagecoach. From there he went on to have a very successful career that earned him a total of 12 Grammy Awards and a whopping 56 nominations. This song was a hit for Faron Young, but Nelson was the one who penned the tune about a man so lonely he resorts to speaking to the windows, walls, and ceiling is the afterlife similarly lonesome? There have been many country songs about drinking to forget about a woman who has done you wrong. Best Contemporary Willie Nelson Funeral Songs. Loss is hard. First lady Nancy Reagan, left, gets a laugh with Ray Charles, center, and Willie Nelson, right, and other entertainers at a salute to country music at Constitution Hall in Washington on March 16, 1983. The concert culminated the filming of a Country Music Television Special titled, "CMT Homecoming: Jimmy Carter in Plains.''. Her death . Best Old-Time Willie Nelson Funeral Songs, Best Contemporary Willie Nelson Funeral Songs. Although he no longer smokes himself, Nelson continues to be an advocate for the legalization of marijuana. Mr. Willie Nelson <p>Mr. Willie Nelson Jr. was born March 15, 1946, in Albany, Georgia to parents Willie Nelson Sr. and Marshall A. Nelson. However, with 1975s Red-Headed Stranger, Nelson had his real first taste of success. 1 country hit. In 1957, Willie Nelson released his debut recording while working as a DJ in Vancouver, Washington. On Thursday (March 02) the guitarist's reps officially confirmed that Willie Nelson is not dead. ", Rock Icon KISS Is Saying Goodbye (For Real), Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Willie Nelson, Birth Year: 1933, Birth date: April 29, 1933, Birth State: Texas, Birth City: Abbott, Birth Country: United States, Best Known For: Willie Nelson is a country singer-songwriter known for hit songs like "Crazy" and "On the Road Again. These rumors, of course, were completely false. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain from Red Headed Stranger, 4. Willie Nelson and Neil Young perform at the Harvest the Hope concert in Neligh, Neb. More than 1,000 runners competed. March 4, 2023. Of course, Nelson hasnt forgotten his first love: music. Now considered a trademark Nelson tune, it also won that years Grammy Award for Best Country Song. By then I was separated from Connie, who, like Martha and Shirley before her, had tried their level best to put up with me. Nathaniel Rateliff on Willie Nelson's "A Song for You," Leon Russell, and Biker Funerals. Celebrating Nelson's seven-decade long career and highlighting over 200 of his albums, the two-hour special honored the iconic Texan as the creative genius behind some of country musics most historic recordings. The 1980s brought continued musical success. Willie married Connie the same year, and they had another daughter together, named Amy Lee Nelson. Along with Jennings, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser, he contributed to the compilation Wanted! Back on his home turf, Nelson also resumed his recording efforts, but in his own style and on his own terms. Always on My Mind was written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James, and Wayne Carson and covered by luminaries including Elvis Presley. Johnson, who was born in 1935, began singing gospel music as a child. Though family and faith were and remain top priorities for Nelson, in his 2015 memoir Its a Long Story: My Life, the self-described guitar picker recalls that church did not calm my restless and rambunctious soul. With performances by scores of musics biggest names, it earned nearly $10 million to help family farmers keep their land, and to date, the Farm Aid organization has earned many millions more for its cause. It says a lot about his musicianship that his eccentric persona doesnt even begin to overshadow his extensive catalog of songs. Though Tougher Than Leather (1983), Without a Song (1984) and City of New Orleans (1984), did not prove to be crossover hits, all three still reached the top of the country charts. Willie and Annie have two sons, Lukas Autry and Jacob Micah. Accept, are not what Nelson is known for but many of his tracks could make great. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Greater Liberty Church of God 1900 Lawrence Ave, East St Louis, IL 62207, Great Liberty Church of God in Christ 1900 Lawrence Ave, East St Louis, IL 62207. Buddy Cannon, Nelsons friend and songwriting partner, told CMT.com, [Willie] and I laugh about. Country singer Willie Nelson performs during the pregame show before Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. She was 91. Make a digital playlist of the requested songs and send the playlist's link out with your funeral thank you cards. On Wednesday, February 15, 2023; James passed away at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. When it comes to romantic relationships, thats a record for me. The show aired this evening on CMT live from the Grand Ole Opry, and also included special performances by Brandi Carlile, Crystal Gayle, Darius Rucker, George Strait . This is one of the most upbeat songs on the record and it sees Willie Nelson pondering his own funeral. on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. Loretta Lynn's granddaughter, Emmy Russell, joined forces with Willie Nelson's son, Lukas Nelson, to honor the late country icon during her public memorial service, Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn on Sunday (Oct. 30). Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. Since then, Wilson seems to be in good health and spirits. Mama Nelson had to tether toddler Willie to a pole in the yard to keep him from wandering off. Instagram. Ways to honor Willie NELSON's life and legacy. Released in 1973, Shotgun Willie is considered by many to be one of his best albums, showcasing his abilities as a singer, storyteller and performer, despite the fact that it did not chart well. Dont know where Id have gone if I could have, but I had the itch early onthe itch to look beyond the end of the road., A few years later, he started playing his first professional gigs with a local polka band. Willie Nelson turns 89 today. At just 13, Lukas joined his dad's band as a rhythm guitarist and set off on a series of tours (via All Music). The Warmth of the Sun from The Beach Boys Stars & Stripes Vol.1, 19. As Nelson has aged, his songwriting has matured, too. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup) via AP IMAGES). Willie Nelson has been in the country music industry for decades and has made songs people can relate to in every phase and every stage of his career. Their first release, Highwayman (1985), went platinum, and the title track reached No. A musician like her brother, she was a singer, a pianist, and the first member . Beyond its critical success, the album proved to have commercial staying power as well, lingering on the country charts for an entire decade. Its a thrill to hear that he survived a bleak pandemic. Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson, right, and co-founder John Mellencamp hold a news conference announcing that Farm Aid will hold its 20th anniversary celebration in Illinois, Monday, July 11, 2005, in Chicago. On the Road Again from Honeysuckle Rose, 10. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Rather than declare bankruptcy and leave creditors hanging, Nelson decided to fight the IRS. In the context of a memorial service, you could say that the struggle is over and the deceased can rejoice in the afterlife. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston). Let your loved ones know. In 2010, Nelson released the critically acclaimed Country Music, a collaboration with producer T Bone Burnett. The longtime tobacco and pot smoker told NPR in 2012 that he gave up the former after two or three cases . It seemed his efforts as a performing artist would fail to bring the success that others enjoyed from recording his songs. For an interview with Billboard, he said, "The way I approach my songwriting, I think there's a lot of me in ["A Star Is Born"]. In 1981, his lung collapsed while swimming in Maui, and in 2012, he canceled a Denver concert, citing "problems due to the high altitude and emphysema," according to Rolling Stone. 21. By Hamil R. Harris. March 13 at 2:00 PM at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive . Willie Nelson Jr. enjoyed playing spades, loved watching western tv shows, and a big fan of Gun Smoke and Rifleman.</p> <p>He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Theodis Nelson, and son, Shyrone Nelson. She was 91. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Not all end-of-life events call for sad songs and funeral dirges. Promise of the Real first broke onto the film scene when they played themselves in "Paradox," a musical film starring Neil Young. Willie Nelson performs at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2008, Friday, June 13, 2008, in Manchester, Tenn. Country music artists Patty Griffin, Vince Gill, second left, Willie Nelson, center, Kris Kristofferson and BMI President and CEO Del Bryant, right, on stage during the 57th Annual BMI Country Awards in Nashville, Tenn. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. His 97th studio album, A Beautiful Time, is out today on his 89th birthday, and it's chock-full of wisdom and life lessons in a way that only the master of songwriting can put it. Her grandmother wanted her to sing a Willie Nelson song at her funeral. . It kept my head in my music. Music this meaningful is well-suited to a memorial service it's less overtly sad than funeral music, but not as cheerful as music played at a celebration of life service. He was married to Rosella Brumfield Nelson for 37 years. While the lyrics on their surface sound like a sad love song, they could also be interpreted as two lovers being separated by the final great divide of death. In 1952, Nelson married for the first time, to Martha Matthews, with whom he had three children Lana, Susie and Billy before they split up a decade later. Country singer Willie Nelson poses with his wife, Connie, after receiving an award at the 1982 18th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at Knott's Berry Farmy in Buena Park, Ca., Monday, May 9, 1983. The family will receive friends prior to the service at Usrey Funeral Home from 12:30 P.M. until 1:30 P.M . Its love that brought Annie and me together, and its love that, nearly 30 years later, has kept us together, Nelson wrote in 2015 of his fourth marriage. Homer Maltba officiating. Check out these picks for all occasions. Aikens FH. After receiving the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress in 2015, Nelson released Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin (2016), a tribute to the iconic songs of George and Ira Gershwin and featuring duets with artists such as Crow and Cyndi Lauper. During his lengthy, award-winning career, he has written some of the most popular and memorable country songs of all time, many of which have been covered by a wide range of artists over the last half-century. Nelson has a strong compassion for animals, and over the years he has been involved with various animal-welfare groups, including the Society for Protective Animal Legislation, Best Friends Animal Society and the Animal Welfare Institute.