Billy Joe Shaver dead at 81 due to ‘massive’ stroke, reports say

WACO, Texas – Honky-tonk hero and 81-year-old Outlaw Country legend Billy Joe Shaver died Wednesday after suffering a “massive” stroke in Waco, according to SiriusXM.

Shaver was born in Corsicana in 1939 and released his debut album, “Old Five and Dimers Like Me” in 1973. He released his final album in 2014 and continued recording and touring until his death, Rolling Stone wrote.

Many of his songs were performed by other artists, including Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare, Johnny Cash and John Anderson.

People on Twitter posted their condolences, calling the late county music star a legend, titan and hero.

“Billy Joe Shaver might’ve been the only true outlaw whoever made his living writing about the inner workings of his heart. The realest of them all,” one user said."

Shaver’s death comes just days after the death of another county legend, Jerry Jeff Walker.