Hank Locklin

Lawrence Hankins Locklin was born on Feb. 15, 1918, just south of Brewton in McLellan, Fla., a village so small it is not shown on most maps. Hoedowns with guitars and fiddles were a common occurrence in the family living room. He was hit by a school bus when he was 9. “It almost mashed me flatter than a fritter,” he told the Birmingham paper. During his recuperation, he learned to play the guitar. He had already begun singing at the local church, where his mother played the piano. He won amateur contests and by his teens was a featured performer on a radio station in Pensacola, Fla. He dropped out of high school to become a traveling musician, often taking jobs on farms or at shipyards to supplement his income. He sometimes shared a stage with Elvis Presley. Mr. Locklin found his way to Houston, where he hosted his own radio show. After his first broadcast of the “Pillow” song, which he had written in 20 or 25 minutes, the station was deluged with 200 pillows. After recording for several smaller labels, his career took off when he signed with RCA in 1955. He stayed with the label for 19 years. Mr. Locklin’s marriage to Willa Jean Murphy ended in divorce. In addition to his son, who lives in Nashville, he is survived by his wife of 39 years, the former Anita Crooks of Brewton; his son Maurice, of Milton, Fla.; his daughters Margaret Kent of Chipley, Fla., Beth Padgett of McLellan, Nina Hendricks of Jay, Fla., and Amy Alford of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Mr. Locklin’s folksy humor on the Grand Ole Opry stage was famous. He used to invite everyone in the audience to come visit, saying, “We’ll treat you so many ways you’re bound to like one of ’em.” https://od.lk/fl/OTFfMjY5ODg1Xw