American Idol season 19 runner-up Willie Spence who died after a car crash in Tennessee last month will have a public memorial service take place in his honor.
Last week, on October 27, his family held a public viewing in West Palm Beach, Florida. The next evening, a Celebration of Life concert took place at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, with a memorial service Saturday morning that was live streamed on the Bethe’l Family Worship Center Facebook page.
Public memorial is planned for November 5
A public memorial is being planned for November 5 in Douglas Georgia. However, a time and location for the event has yet to be announced.
Willie’s family has suggested that fans donate to the Official Willie Spence Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers and gifts.
The monies collected will go directly to Frontline Response, a charity that the singer was reportedly on is way to volunteer at when he got into his fatal car accident in Chattanooga.
Frontline Response “serves on the frontlines every day rescuing men and women out of sex trafficking and homelessness and preventing vulnerable children from falling victim,” its website stated.
According to Tennessee State Troopers, Willie’s Jeep Cherokee went off the road and crashed into the back of a tractor trailer that had stopped on the shoulder of the road. Willie was on his way back to Atlanta to volunteer for the organization.
A Gentle Giant
“He had such a soft demeanor but a very, very powerful voice,” Willie’s cousin, Sabrena Cooper said in a press conference held outside his grandmother’s home in Riviera Beach, Florida the day after the fatal accident.“When he opened his mouth and lifted the Lord in song, many would just stop in their tracks to listen to him. Now Willie is in heaven, singing the lead in the heaven’s choir.”
