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Shirley Collie Nelson, Former Wife of Willie Nelson, Dies at 78

Shirley Collie Nelson and Willie NelsonShirley Collie Nelson, country singer and second wife of the legendary Willie Nelson, passed away on Wednesday (Jan. 27) at the age of 78, CMT reports.

Shirley made a name for herself on television before she hit country radio, as she appeared on ABC's 'Ozark Jubilee' -- a country music variety show -- in the late '50s. She released three singles on Liberty Records in the early '60s, including a duet with Willie called 'Wilingly,' which marked her future husband's debut on the Billboard country charts and her only appearance on the Top Ten. Shirley's first single was 'Dime a Dozen,' penned by songwriting legend Harlan Howard. She followed it with a cover of 'Why, Baby, Why,' written and first released by George Jones. Those two songs both cracked the Top 25.

Shirley and Willie married in 1963, one year after 'Willingly' was released. It was a second marriage for both, as Shirley was first married to famed country radio deejay Biff Collie. Shirley and Willie divorced in 1971 and did not have any children together.

Willie Nelson on AOL Music

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9 Comments

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SUSICYQ

Sorry about that,I mean pot.

January 29 2010 at 7:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Camille

Just attended a Kris Kristofferson concert and he sang several of Willie's songs. They are all a small band of special singers with unique lives that touch us all with meaningful music.

January 29 2010 at 5:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jules

I'm sure Willie is thinking about the 9 year relationship; my condolences to him and her family.

January 29 2010 at 5:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kurt000111

Willie Nelson's never released verse of his song "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" :

....To all the girls I've loved before,
Who travelled in and out my door,
The didn't know of course,
That my true love was my horse,
not the girls I'd loved before !

YOU HEARD IT HERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME !!!!!!

January 29 2010 at 3:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mthbwu

for all the girls ive loved before

January 29 2010 at 2:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
webshoes1

Is that the wife that sewed Willie into a bed sheet and beat him with a broom handle?

January 29 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to webshoes1's comment
B.H. Lackey

ah...I think you have him mixed up with someone else. Why don't you try to be a little more responsible. pee brain!

January 29 2010 at 5:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SUSICYQ

Yes she is.She also set fire to his suit case of pop...

January 29 2010 at 7:42 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to SUSICYQ's comment
timesgone32

that was his first wife. she was the problem one shirley was just there a short time.

December 08 2011 at 4:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down