I want to honor the memory of my hero in music this week – the late Hank Williams Sr.

Hank was born on Sept. 17, 1923, and died on Jan. 1, 1953. He was born Hiram King Williams but later changed his music recording name to Hank Williams. He was only 29 years of age when he died in the back seat of his car while en route to a concert in Canton, Ohio, but he left behind a lifetime of country music that came from his heart.

Hank lived the songs that he wrote in his very short life. He will always be remembered by his great songs and he will live forever through his music and through people like me.

Hank was born with spina bifida occulta, which is a disorder of the spinal column, which gave him a lifelong pain. Hank Williams was the son of Elonzo Huble “Lon Williams” and Jessie Lillybelle “Lillie” Skipper. They were married Nov. 12, 1916. Former Alabama Gov. Gordon Persons officially proclaimed Sept. 21 as “Hank Williams Day” and the first celebration was in 1954.

Hank was born in Mount Olive, Ala., in Butler County and later the family moved to Georgiana, Ala. where Hank was given guitar lessons from an old man named Rufus Payne.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to J. W. Franklin on Jan. 1; Stephanie Penn on Jan. 2; Angie Johnson on Jan. 3; Katie Beth Owen on Jan. 6; Carly Holladay on Jan. 8; Millie Kate Jones on Jan. 9; Ruby Self and Gracie Mae Eddy, both on Jan. 10; Paxton Boyd on Jan. 12; James L. Newman on Jan. 13; Mike McLamb and Sydney McCleskey, both on Jan. 14; and Belinda Vest and Ken Clark, both on Jan. 15.

Happy birthday wishes also go out this week to Nik Newell on Jan. 19 and Helen Taylor on Jan. 20.

Special belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week to Wylie and Sue Reaves who celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Jan. 6.

Happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week to Clay and Cissy Locklear. They are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary Wed. (today), Jan. 16.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express loving memories this week for: Tina Anders Long, Jan. 18, 1959, to Jan. 31, 2012; Sarah “Kathryn” Edwards, Jan. 11, 1920, to Dec. 28, 2006; Leonard Joel “Joe” Lacey, Jan. 11, 1953, to Dec. 31, 2006; Hazel Sims Wallace, Jan. 29, 1922, to August 12, 1999; and Allene George Turrentine, Jan. 29, 1931, to Feb.11, 2001.