American Idol Runner Up Willie Spence

American Idol Runner Up Willie Spence was only 23 years old. He

was killed Tuesday in a traffic crash in Marion County,

Tennessee. At this time we don't know the details leading up to the

crash. We know he collided with a semi-truck.

Willie loved music. Ironically, singing was not his first

love. He loved playing the drums for church right here in

Palm Beach County. Although,this is a difficult time for us all. We came to realize that Willie was not only important to us, but he was also

important to the world. He has millions of fans who enjoy

his voice. And while we all want to mourn as a family in

private, we realize our grief is not only ours, but in others

as well.On behalf of Willie's mother, Sharon Spence, and his

father, Willie Spence, we want to thank all of you for

the prayers, the calls, the kind words, and the gestures. He was our gentle giant, who had a soft demeanor but a powerful voice. When he opened his mouth and lifted the Lord in a song, many stopped in their tracks to listen to

him.

Funeral services will be announced through our publicist.