Ray Price’s wife clears up false death reports

The wife of ailing country star Ray Price has assured fans he is “still with us” after conflicting reports emerged on Sunday (15Dec13) suggesting the singer had died. The music legend, 87, is in the final stages of his long battle with pancreatic cancer and is spending his last days at his home in Mount Pleasant, Texas after leaving hospital on Thursday (12Dec13).
His son, Clifton Price, took to his father’s fan appreciation page on Facebook.com on Saturday (14Dec13) and revealed the end was near, telling fans he had bid a final farewell to his dad.
He wrote, “Dear Friends, I have said my last goodbye to my Dad Mr. Ray Price. I drove to the ranch where I was allowed to see my Dad for a brief time. My Dad is in a coma and I believe he may pass at any time. I told him I loved Him and I think he tried to communicate that he loved me. God Bless my Dad.”
The message prompted a number of websites to report that the For the Good Times hitmaker had died, but the country legend’s wife, Janie, insists the claims are unfounded.
Speaking to RollingStone.com on Sunday, she says, “He is still with us. It’s been an honour to walk this road with him. It’s a sad day. We are losing a great man.”
Janie also revealed that Price is surrounded by loved ones, including a pastor, as they prepare to let him go.
Clifton has since returned to Facebook.com to confirm that his father is alive and has blamed “some cruel people” for deceiving him about his father’s passing.
He adds, “I understand my Dad is still alive but barely hanging on.”
A representative for the star revealed last week (ends13Dec13) that his pancreatic cancer had spread to his liver, intestines and lungs. The diagnosis prompted Price to return home to his Mount Pleasant ranch and he even released a heartfelt letter to his fans, thanking them for his support through his illness.