Billy Edd Wheeler was a songwriter and author whose work earned him induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, best known for “Jackson,” the Grammy Award-winning single by Johnny Cash (1932–2003) and June Carter (1929–2003).
- Died: September 16, 2024 (Who else died on September 16?)
- Details of death: Died in Swannanoa, North Carolina at the age of 91.
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Billy Edd Wheeler’s legacy
Billy Edd Wheeler was born and raised in Boone County, West Virginia, but spent his adult life in Swannanoa, North Carolina, where he built his career as a songwriter and playwright. A graduate of Warren Wilson College and Berea College who also studied playwriting at the Yale School of Drama, Wheeler made his music debut as a recording artist in 1961 with the album “Billy Edd: USA.” It was his first of 15 solo LPs released between 1961 and 2006.
However, most of Wheeler’s best known work was made popular by other artists. “Jackson” may be his most famous composition. Performed by Johnny Cash and June Carter, the song went to No. 2 on the country charts in 1967 and earned the pair a Grammy Award. It was also a Top 20 pop hit performed by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood (1929–2007).
Wheeler also co-wrote “Coward of the County” by Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), along with songs performed by Elvis Presley (1935–1977), Bobby Darin, The Kingston Trio, Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane, Florence and the Machine, and other artists.
When not writing songs, Wheeler wrote plays. His “Hatfields & McCoys” has been performed annually in West Virginia since 1970. Other works of his include “Young Abe Lincoln” and “Johnny Appleseed,” as well as multiple books, such as “Star of Appalachia,” “Real Country Humor / Jokes from Country Music Personalities” and “Song of a Woods Colt,” a poetry collection.
Wheeler is in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. He has honorary doctorates from Berea College and Warren Wilson College.
Tributes to Billy Edd Wheeler
Full obituary: 13News WOWK
