Country legend Billy Edd Wheeler, who wrote one of Johnny Cash's biggest hits, has died at the age of 91

Billy Edd Wheeler, who wrote countless hits for dozens of artists, has died at the age of 91.

The legendary songwriter and artist died Monday at his home in Swannanoa, North Carolina, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame announced.

“My father, Billy Edd Wheeler, passed away peacefully yesterday at home surrounded by his family,” his son wrote on social media. “We love you, Dad. You will be missed by many, but we will always remember all the gifts you gave to this world.”

Over the course of his long career, Wheeler wrote award-winning songs for many musicians, including Judy Collins, Bobby Darin, The Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Kenny Rogers and Elvis, according to his website.

In 1963, Wheeler co-wrote “Jackson” with Jerry Leiber, which was later sung as a duet by Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash.

Wheeler was born in 1932 into a working-class family in a small town in West Virginia.

“Raised by his mother and raised in abject poverty in the coal fields, Billy Edd, with a rare gift for storytelling, an abundance of country music know-how and perseverance, was a true Renaissance man,” wrote the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

His other famous songs include “Coal Tattoo” and “The Reverend Mr. Black”.

Kenny Rogers' version of Wheeler's “Coward of the County” became a number one single when it was released in 1980. The following year it was made into a film, also starring Kenny Rogers.