The widow of Rep. C.W. Bill Young has issued strict instructions to a handful of politicians regarding her husband's funeral: Do not show up.
According to partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Young's widow, Beverly, sent an email telling three politicians their presence at the longtime congressman's funeral would be unwelcome.
Young, who served 42 years in Congress, died Friday night at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center of complications from an old injury.
Former Gov. Charlie Crist, Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice and St. Petersburg lawyer Jessica Ehrlich have been asked to stay away.
Bay News 9 talked to Rep. Young's widow today. She wanted to clarify her reasons for not inviting Crist, Ehrlich and Justice.
As for the former governor, she said she and her husband once asked for help for a wounded vet and the governor did not help.
Mrs. Young also told us she disinvited Commissioner Justice for taking “cheap shots at her children” during a campaign.
And in Ehrlich's case, Mrs. Young told Bay News 9 Ehrlich told lies about the congressman being out of touch with his constituency.
While those three are not invited, the public is invited to Young's public visitation Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The visitation will be held at the Bill Young Armed Forces Reserve Center, 2801 Grand Avenue in Pinellas Park. The public funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Indian Rocks, 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo. A private burial will follow.