AMERICAN IDOL Alum Willie Spence Dies At 23 in Car Crash
By Movieguide® Staff
Singer Willie Spence, best known as a runner-up finalist on Season 19 of AMERICAN IDOL, died in a car crash on Oct. 11. He was 23.
DouglasNow, a local Tennessee news station, first reported that the Douglas, Tennessee native was killed after a motor vehicle accident.
Fellow AMERICAN IDOL alum Katharine McPhee confirmed the news on her Instagram Story, which included a video of her and Spence together.
“I received very tragic news tonight,” McPhee wrote in the caption. “Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised. God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”
McPhee wrote in a later comment on his Instagram: “Sweet Willie… you deserved the stars and the moon. I’m so sorry for the world to be robbed of more precious time with you. You were an absolute Angel. I know you are up there now with the rest of the angels. God rest your soul. For now I’m 💔”
FOX31 reported: “Preliminary findings say that Spence’s Jeep Cherokee left the roadway around 4 p.m. and collided into the back of the tractor trailer.”
The news outlet also noted that Spence had fixed a flat tire on his Jeep earlier in the day on that same Tuesday.
Spence had posted a video of himself singing a worship song in the car just hours before the fatal accident.
The hymn that Spence sang was originally written by Michael Ledner and reads:
You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraidI will trust in You
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You
AMERICAN IDOL producer Randall Emmett also left a tribute to Spence, saying: “I was lucky to have him sing for me live at my home and other events. I will miss you my friend. I know you touched so many of us.”
Country star Mickey Guyton commented on Instagram: “You truly were and will always be such a gift to us. We love you.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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