Willie Spence was an American musician, songwriter and runner-up of American Idol season 19.

Spence was invited to perform The National Anthem in the U.K. after receiving an invitation from Queen Elizabeth.

Willie said he “couldn’t believe it,” adding that he’s never been out of the country before. The event was set to occur in London in 2023.

Willie Spence died in a car accident on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.  According to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Marion County Medical Examiner, the crash happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday in Marion County, East Tennessee.

Spence’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee “left the roadway” and collided with the back of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of the east side of Interstate 24, at the 147-mile marker.

Spence released his debut EP titled, The Voice along with follow-up single, “Never Be Alone” in April 2021.