TYLER, Texas — The memorial service for Wilbur (Will) Jennings, an award-winning songwriter with roots in East Texas, will be held in Tyler.
Jennings, who was born in Kilgore and raised in Tyler, died Sept. 6, at the age of 80.
After attending Tyler Junior College, the University of Texas and Stephen F. Austin State University, Jennings returned to TJC where he taught English. He then took a job at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, where he taught, wrote poetry and played in a small band, according to his obituary. He then went on to write some of the biggest songs of the century, including "My Heart Will Go On", which was famously the theme for the film Titanic and sung by Celine Dion, as well as Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven." He is an inductee to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and boasts three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards.
Throughout his career, Jennings wrote for several famous artists, including Tim McGraw, Barry Manilow, Joe Cocker, Roy Oribson, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and so many more.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, Oct. 4, at 11:30 a.m. Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler. A private burial will follow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.
You can also watch CBS19 News streaming live on the free CBS19 mobile app for your smartphone: