If you’re looking for a glitzy monument or a massive mausoleum draped in neon, you’re looking for the wrong guy. Waylon Jennings didn't do "fancy." He didn't even like showing up to collect his own awards. So, it makes a weird kind of sense that his final resting place isn't in some high-traffic "Garden of the Stars" in Tennessee.
He’s in a public cemetery in the desert.
The Waylon Jennings burial site is located at the City of Mesa Cemetery in Arizona. Specifically, you’ll find him at 1212 North Center Street. It’s a massive place—hundreds of acres of sun-baked grass and rows of headstones that all look kinda similar if you aren't paying attention. Honestly, if you don't have the exact coordinates, you could spend three hours walking in circles under the Arizona sun and never find him.
Waylon died on February 13, 2002. He was only 64. Most people know he had a rough go of it toward the end, battling complications from diabetes that eventually took his left foot and, finally, his life. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Chandler, but the decision to bury him in Mesa caught some folks off guard. Why not Texas? Why not the Mother Church of Country Music?
Finding the "Vagabond Dreamer" in Mesa
The thing about the Waylon Jennings burial site is that it’s incredibly humble. For the first year after he passed, there wasn't even a marker. Imagine that. One of the most influential musicians in American history, the man who basically told Nashville to shove it so he could record music his own way, lying in an unmarked grave.
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His widow, the legendary Jessi Colter, took her time. She wanted the right stone. She wanted the right words. Eventually, a flat, polished black granite marker was installed. It doesn't stand up; it lays flush with the ground.
If you’re planning a pilgrimage, here is the "secret handshake" to find him:
- Head to the southeast corner of 9th and B Streets within the cemetery.
- Look for Plot 766.
- He’s tucked in the fourth row east of 9th Street.
- Supposedly, there’s a specific tree (usually cited as the 6th tree) nearby that fans use as a landmark.
It’s a quiet spot. You won't find security guards or velvet ropes. You’ll just find a piece of stone with his face etched into it, looking exactly like the "Hoss" we all remember—beard, hat, and that look in his eyes that suggested he knew something you didn't.
Why Arizona and Not Nashville?
Nashville is where the business is, but Arizona was where Waylon's heart (and his family) ended up. He had deep roots there. Back in the early 60s, after the devastating plane crash that killed Buddy Holly—a flight Waylon famously gave up his seat on—he moved to Arizona to restart his life. He played the "JD's" nightclub in Tempe and built a massive local following long before the "Outlaw" movement was a marketing term.
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He’s actually buried near his in-laws. His site is close to Jessi Colter’s parents and brother. To Waylon, family and peace mattered more than being a tourist attraction.
The Epitaph That Says It All
The marker itself is beautiful but simple. It calls him a "Vagabond Dreamer." It’s a nod to his song lyrics and his life on the road. When you stand there, it’s hard not to think about the sheer weight of his legacy. This is the man who played bass for Buddy Holly. He was the narrator of The Dukes of Hazzard. He was a quarter of The Highwaymen.
People leave things. That’s the most "human" part of the Waylon Jennings burial site. You’ll often see:
- Faded guitar picks tucked into the edges of the stone.
- Small bottles of whiskey (though the cemetery staff usually clears those pretty quick).
- Loose change.
- Weathered bandanas tied to nearby branches.
It’s not a shrine. It’s a conversation.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Visiting
A lot of fans assume there’s a gift shop or a sign at the entrance. There isn't. The City of Mesa Cemetery is a functioning municipal graveyard. It’s where regular families bury their loved ones. If you go, don't blast "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" out of your truck windows.
The staff is generally helpful if you ask for the location, but they aren't tour guides. They’ve got a job to do. Also, keep in mind that the cemetery hours are usually sunrise to sunset. Arizona heat is no joke, even in the "winter" months, so if you're making the trek, bring water.
Expert Tips for Your Visit
If you’re traveling from out of state, the cemetery is only about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It’s a very easy "layover" trip if you have a few hours to kill.
- Check the map: Use a GPS app but cross-reference it with the cemetery’s internal "street" names (A, B, C, etc.).
- The "First Year" Mystery: Don't be confused by old articles saying the grave is unmarked. That hasn't been true since 2003.
- Respect the neighbors: Waylon is surrounded by regular folks. Be mindful of where you step.
The Waylon Jennings burial site represents the man perfectly. It’s stubborn. It’s tucked away. It’s exactly where he wanted to be—far away from the "Rhinstone Cowboys" and right in the middle of the desert he loved.
Next Steps for Your Pilgrimage
Before you head out to Mesa, download a high-resolution map of the City of Mesa Cemetery from the official municipal website. Since the cemetery is vast, having a digital copy of the plot map (specifically looking for Block 766) will save you from wandering aimlessly. Additionally, consider visiting during the early morning hours to avoid the intense midday Arizona sun and to experience the site in the quiet stillness that truly fits Waylon's "Outlaw" spirit.