Friends and family attend the Will Owlsly funeral at Parker Memorial Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star
Police have blocked 12th Street adjacent to the church, where a large touring-style bus is parked. Cars have packed parking lots in the area.
Owsley rose to notoriety playing guitar for the gospel and pop star Amy Grant beginning in the 1990s. He continued to work as a guitarist, singer songwriter, engineer and producer. His own 1999 album, Owsley, recorded in his home studio in Anniston, was nominated for a Grammy award.
The funeral service, to begin at 3 p.m., is to include performances by Nashville stars such as Grant and country music star Vince Gill.
A receiving line to meet Owsely’s family at the church snaked through the massive church building prior to the service. Chairs were being brought into the sanctuary to accommodate guests who could not find seats in the pews.
