WILL JEFFERSON, a SONGWRITER, has died age 80.

Hit songs like “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton were written with Will Sutton.

According to Variety, Will’s publisher confirmed the story early Saturday morning.

His illness went unnoticed for a while, but no one knows what killed him yet.

On Friday, musician Pete Wolf shared a touching tribute to the noted songsmith.

In the picture, Pete was standing next to Will and holding his arm.

“‘A Lot of Good Ones Gone’ … A sad time, the passing of Will Jennings, a maestro, brilliant mind and a gentle spirit,” he said in the caption.

Later, Pete said, “Will taught me his skills and was always patient and kind. He was a dear friend and teacher who made my life better in so many ways.”

“It was an enormous honor to have worked with such a musical genius for so many years.”

Followers of Pete wrote condolences in the comments section.

A person wrote, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Still another person said, “So sad to hear.”

One third said, “Rest in Power Will.”

Fourteen said, “Rest in peace, legend.”

He wrote some great songs with you, according to someone else.

“What a tremendous legacy to leave behind.”

WILL’S CAREER

While working, Will has earned a number of prestigious honors.

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), which he co-wrote with Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, won Will his first Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Will won another Oscar in 1997 for contributing to the hit movie Titanic, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet and featured Celine’s “My Heart Will Go On.”

Golden Globes were given to him in 1993 for his performance in Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven,” which won Song of the Year.

Will has also worked with Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Jimmy Buffet, Diana Ross, Tim McGraw, and more.

Will is also a six-time Grammy-nominated songwriter who has won three, including Song of the Year for “My Heart Will Go On.”