Billy Walker, the Grand Ole Opry legend whose hits included "Charlie's Shoes" and "Cross the Brazos at Waco," died in a wreck along an Alabama interstate on Sunday. He was 77.

Walker was killed along with his wife and two of his band members when a van they were riding in ran off Interstate 65 south of Montgomery and overturned. The group was on their way back to the Nashville area after performing at a show near Gulf Shores.

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Walker on two occasions - IronHorse shared the bill with him at a charity event in Nashville a few years back, and Keel & Wayne did the Jamboree On The Mountain show with him last year in Monteagle Tennessee. He was a very nice and personable man, always with a kind word, a big smile, and a strong handshake. I am proud that I got to meet him and do those two shows. Just the fact that he was 77 years old, and traveling in a van on his way home from a gig, speaks volumes about his passion for performing. Rest in peace, cowboy.

very sad. I remember watching the Billy Walker Show growin up. He was one of my moms favorite singers....right along Ferlin Huskey. Was an honor to meet him at the CASA event.