RIP Willie Honeycutt

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 10 Jan 2013 6:48 pm

Pedal steel guitarist Willie Honeycutt, son of Bob Wills alumni Roy Honeycutt, has passed away at the age of 46.
An amazing musician, all the way around and a sad loss.
Rest in peace brother.

Brian Powell · Post by **Brian Powell** » 11 Jan 2013 3:43 am

this is such a loss ive known wille for over 30yrs . he will be missed .

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 11 Jan 2013 4:19 am

I met Willie when he was 12 or so, was friends with his Dad, in Modesto, Ca... He was a great Talent...

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 11 Jan 2013 6:17 am

This is so sad, Willie lived up here in Alaska for a few years,and our paths crossed many times, A talented dude for sure,absolutely no meanness in him, A nice guy.
Godspeed Willie!

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 11 Jan 2013 6:31 am

David - I don't know how well you knew Willie but I hope you know how much you meant to him. At the time I knew him in the mid-80s, he idolized you. Pretty much only talked about three players - you, Reece, and his dad - and he constantly talked about how much he wanted to play like you.

He was such an obviously and incredibly talented guy. I hate that his life dealt him the demons it apparently did. RIP Willy.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 11 Jan 2013 6:56 am

One of the most truly gifted people I ever met. Such a sad loss.

Steve Raulston · Post by **Steve Raulston** » 11 Jan 2013 2:08 pm

Johnny Gudgel called and broke the news this morning. Man, this is sad beyond words. I will second what Chris said David and that Willie aspired to be like you in every way. In fact he called you his "Big Brother" several times I heard him refer to you. Met Willie back in 82 when he was 15 playing with Sasakwa Oklahoma. He was dating Kelly the drummer and the one thing that struck me was how much older than his years he seemed. Not just musically, because anyone who knew Willie knew what an incredible player he was on anything he picked up. Steel, Bass, Guitar he was a natural. He told me a story many years ago that "Pop" (Roy, his father) would take him to gigs when Willie was a little guy and Willie would fall asleep on stage, curled up behind Pop's steel right in front of the steel amp and that is why he had such natural abilities. I asked him "didn't the volume make it hard to sleep and on a stage? He replied "no, he slept like a baby and the volume was what etched all those wonderful melodies and runs in his head! He never flaunted it though. Always humble and never a braggart, just a gentleman that had some struggles. Rest in peace and Godspeed Willie.

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 11 Jan 2013 2:22 pm

how sad, how young, may you rest w the Lord & the heavenly band.
bruce & lynn

Keith Junot · Post by **Keith Junot** » 11 Jan 2013 2:29 pm

so sad to hear the news .. i first met Willie in Elko in 1985 .. he showed up from Cali to play a 2 week Casino gig @ the Stockmans .. i was checking in at the Pioneer Hotel when he walked up and introduced himself to me and the other Pickers , his accomodations were not what the Bandleader had promised , right there he picked up his things and headed out the door right back to Cali . i was sad that i was not going to get to work with him on the venue , but about 6 years later , fate brought us together to play in the same band up here in Alaska , we quickly became friends . He was a great guy and an awesome talent , he will truly be missed ... RIP my friend .. till we meet again

Billy Webb · Post by **Billy Webb** » 11 Jan 2013 10:16 pm

Another great loss to the music community. Wille was a mul'ti talented musician, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Wille and Jerry Bostwick came up to my home in Oroville,CA. to see me, before him and Jerry went to Alaska that was the last time I saw him. God speed my friend. BILLY WEBB

Billy Webb · Post by **Billy Webb** » 11 Jan 2013 10:23 pm

Another great loss to the music community. Willie was a mul'ti talented musician, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Willie and Jerry Bostwick came up to my home in Orovillie,CA. to see me, before him and Jerry went to Alaska that was the last time I saw him. God speed my friend. BILLY WEBB

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 12 Jan 2013 3:36 am

I remember Roy bringing Willie to a VFW I played every Sat night in Modesto, he was just a young kid, he wanted to play steel, and had been fooling around on his dad's, 8 string, with a few pedals, he couldn't play a "modern" sound on it, so they all saved up money and got him a S12, in order to help him, I started him on Bb6, he took off like a jet, I do remember at one time he got a Brand new Franklin , the one and only S12 Bb Paul ever built..and then on to Sierra steels...

Steven, he called me brother , but in the last few years it "Pop".. I guess I got older looking to him..

.. Heres a pic from a little thing we did last time I saw him...

God rest your soul Willie... you will be missed....

Steve Raulston · Post by **Steve Raulston** » 12 Jan 2013 3:02 pm

Those are some great photos!! I can only imagine the pain you are suffering with the loss of such an old and dear friend as Willie. When I first met Willie, we were discussing our musical influences and one of the first names he mentioned was yours. You were his mentor and anytime he spoke of you, it was with the utmost admiration and respect and it was easy to sense the love he felt for you. Willie was spot on too, because you are one fine human being and an incredible musician David and that's from the heart. I have always been honored to call you "my friend. Let's talk sometime soon, okay?

Jimmy Youngblood · Post by **Jimmy Youngblood** » 15 Jan 2013 7:56 pm

This is sad. Willie was too young to go.

I worked with Willie several years ago at Mammoth Lakes. He was very talented.

RIP Willie

Bill D. Terry · Post by **Bill D. Terry** » 27 Jan 2013 2:42 pm

A small but extremely moving memorial was held yesterday near Modesto, Ca. for Willie. In attendance was his son Michael...I don't think many of us knew. His story was the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed at a memorial service. Including his story of purchasing a Tele at a music shop in Alaska that has turned out to be Willie's. Michael not only didn't know it was Willie's guitar, but didn't know Willie was his Father. A moving story by an extremely intelligent, humble nice young man. Also a guitar player.

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RIP Willie Honeycutt

RIP Willie Honeycutt

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