Willie Spence

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other people with similar names, see William Spence.
Willie Spence
Spence performing on American Idol in 2021.
Years active2017–2022
Born(1999-06-18)June 18, 1999
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
DiedOctober 11, 2022(2022-10-11) (aged 23)
Jasper, Tennessee, U.S.
OccupationSinger

Willie Spence (June 18, 1999 – October 11, 2022) was an American singer. He was the runner-up of the

nineteenth season of American Idol
at the age of 22.

Life

Spence was born on June 18, 1999,[1] in West Palm Beach, Florida, and grew up in Douglas, Georgia, after his family moved there.[2]

Spence posted online videos of him singing during his time in high school. In 2017, a video he had posted singing the

nineteenth season of American Idol. His performances received a positive reception from the judges,[2] and Spence ended up placing second in the competition, only behind Chayce Beckham.[4]

Death

Spence was killed in a

Chattanooga on October 11, 2022, at 23 years old.[5] His death was reported by the Marion County Sheriff's Office.[6] According to WSB-TV in Atlanta, he was driving a Jeep Cherokee when he veered off I-24 at around 4:00PM ET. His vehicle struck a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of the road. The driver of that vehicle was not injured.[6]

The official

fifth season who had previously performed with Spence, posted their own tributes to Spence on Instagram.[3][4]

References

  1. [self-published]
  2. ^ a b c d e France, Lisa Respers (October 12, 2022). "Willie Spence, 'American Idol' Season 19 runner-up, dead at 23". CNN. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Keeley, Matt (October 12, 2022). "RIP Willie Spence: Tributes pour in for "American Idol" singer after crash". Newsweek. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  4. ^
    Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Archived
    from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  5. ^ "'American Idol' finalist dies in vehicle crash". CTV News. 2022-10-12. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Georgia-born American Idol star Willie Spence killed in car accident at 23". WSB-TV. October 12, 2022. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
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