Family members of an American Idol runner-up who died in a car crash this week are sharing their sorrow.
"Willie was our gentle giant. He had such a soft demeanor but a very very powerful voice."
Sabrena Cooper was speaking about her cousin, Willie Spence who finished second on season 19 of the singing competition show.
Spence's family lives in Riviera Beach, where Willie recently spent some time to help the Sounds of Success Community Marching Band in their efforts to collect enough money to take part in London's Band Week next June. Spence was planning to join the band in England.
Tennessee state troopers say his Jeep went off the road on Tuesday and crashed into the back of a tractor trailer that was on the shoulder of the road. He was just 23 years old.
Willie's relatives say funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time. They plan to set up a GoFund Me page to help cover the cost of his funeral.