Boxcar Willie
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Boxcar Willie (b. September 1, 1931 near the town of Ovilla, Texas – d. April 12, 1999) was an American "hobo music" singer.
Born Lecil Travis Martin, Boxcar Willie was an American country music singer who sang in the "hobo music" style. In 1949, Martin joined the United States Air Force, became a pilot and flight engineer for the B-29 Super Fortress during the Korean War in the early-1950s.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, Martin was sitting at a railroad crossing and a fellow that closely resembled his chief boom operator, Willie Wilson, passed by sitting in a boxcar. He said, "There goes Willie." He pulled over and wrote a song entitled "Boxcar Willie". It eventually stuck and became Martin's nickname.
In 1962, Martin met his future wife, Lloene, in Boise, Idaho. They would later have four children together.
In San Jose, California, Martin attended a talent show as "Boxcar Willie" and performed under the nickname for the first time. He won first place, a $150.00 prize and a nickname that he would forever go by.
That was his part-time vocation, however; he was still in the US Air Force, and had been flying daily missions. In 1976, Martin left the Air Force and became a full-time performer. He went on to become a star in country music, selling more than 10 million records, tapes and CD's world-wide.
On Halloween in 1996, Martin was diagnosed with leukemia. Although Martin fought courageously against the ailment, it got worse, and his health deteriorated rapidly. On April 12, 1999, in Branson, Missouri, Martin died of leukemia, aged 67.
The overpass at Interstate 35E and Farm to Market Road 664 in Red Oak, Texas (also known as Ovilla Road, approximately four miles west of Ovilla) was renamed "Boxcar Willie Memorial Overpass" after a major reconstruction project.
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Willie, Boxcar |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | American singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 1, 1931 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Ovilla, Texas |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 12, 1999 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Branson, Missouri |
