'Ozark Jubilee' guitarist Haworth dies at 85

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Herschel "Speedy" Haworth Jr., who played lead guitar on the 1950s country music show "Ozark Jubilee" and had hits with the original Porter Wagoner Trio, has died at age 85.

Haworth, 85, died early Tuesday in his Springfield home with his wife and daughter at his side, the family said. The singer and guitarist had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and last year broke his hip.

"A big part of my life has ended. My guitar player is gone," said daughter Shirley Jean Haworth, who performed with her dad.

The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home's Rivermonte Chapel in Springfield.

"Ozark Jubilee" was a nationally televised country music show produced in Springfield between 1955 and 1960.

After "Ozark Jubilee," Haworth toured with show host Red Foley's band. Haworth was also part of the original Porter Wagoner Trio which had the top-10 hit "Company's Comin"' and No. 1 hit "A Satisfied Mind."

The late Wagoner might not have been noticed without the original sound that included Haworth, said Leroy Van Dyke, the last country recording artist Haworth toured with before retiring.

Haworth was also music director for "The Slim Wilson Show," which aired for 11 years on Springfield's KYTV starting in 1964.

Haworth was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 2001. Although he was retired, he continued to perform regularly at smaller venues until he broke his hip a year ago.

In the past few years, Haworth sang more gospel music. In 1990, he joined Jan and Charles Lee to form the Goodwill Trio. They played in churches and for senior citizens.

"And everywhere we went, people knew Speedy Haworth. He was just a staple for the Ozarks," Jan Lee said.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com