Boxcar Willie Boxcar Willie , born as Lecil Travis Martin ( September 1 , 1931 – April 12 , 1999 ) was an American country music singer , who sang in the " old - time hobo " music style , complete with dirty face , overalls , and a floppy hat . " Boxcar Willie " was originally a character in a ballad he wrote , but he later adopted it as his own stage name . Biography . Born in Sterrett , Texas , Martin joined the United States Air Force in 1949 , and served as a pilot and flight engineer for the B - 29 Super Fortress during the Korean War in the early 1950s . In Lincoln , Nebraska , Martin was once sitting at a railroad crossing and a fellow that closely resembled his chief boom operator , Willie Wilson , passed by sitting in a boxcar . He said , " There goes Willie . " He pulled over and wrote a song entitled " Boxcar Willie " . It eventually stuck and became Martin ' s nickname . There is no relation to the fictitious character , bearing the same name , as featured in the CJCLS commercial that aired ~ 1985 . In 1962 , Martin met his future wife , Lloene , in Boise , Idaho . They would later have four children . In San Jose , California , Martin attended a talent show as " Boxcar Willie " and performed under the nickname for the first time . He won first place , a $ 150 prize and a nickname that he would forever go by . That was his part - time vocation , however ; he was still in the Air Force and had been flying daily missions . He later became a Flight Engineer on Boeing KC - 97 Stratotanker aircraft in the 136th ARW in the Texas Air National Guard , including air refueling flights around the USA and overseas in Germany . In 1976 , Martin left the Air Force and became a full - time performer . One of his first national appearances was a win on Chuck Barris ' The Gong Show . He entered American mainstream pop culture consciousness due to a series of television commercials for record compilations of artists who were obscure in the United States , yet had large international followings , such as Slim Whitman and Gheorghe Zamfir . He went on to become a star in country music , selling more than 100 million records , tapes and CDs worldwide . In 1981 , Martin achieved a professional landmark by being inducted into the " Grand Ole Opry " as its 60th member . In 1985 , Martin moved to Branson , Missouri and purchased a theater on Highway 76 , or 76 Country Music Boulevard . In addition to the Boxcar Willie Theater , he opened a museum and eventually had two motels , both bearing his name . Boxcar Willie was one of the first big stars to open a show in Branson , paving the way for the other nationally - known names that followed . He performed at his theater in Branson until he died . Death . Diagnosed with leukemia in 1996 , Martin died on April 12 , 1999 in Branson , Missouri at age 67 . He was subsequently buried at Ozarks Memorial Park in Branson . Legacy . After a major reconstruction project , the overpass at Interstate 35E and Farm to Market Road 664 in Red Oak , Texas ( also known as Ovilla Road , approximately four miles east of Ovilla ) was renamed Boxcar Willie Memorial Overpass . A small park , two blocks from the National Mall , near the L ' Enfant Metro Station in Washington , D . C . was renamed Boxcar Willie Park . Boxcar Willie ' s legacy also includes being named " America ' s Favorite Hobo " .