Khayat thought Wednesday, after hearing that Haggard had passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79. According to the Nashville Tennessean, Haggard’s funeral was scheduled for Saturday in Palo Cedro (Calif.) with Marty Stuart as part of the private service. Haggard’s memory of the Nobel-winning Oxonian was based on Marty Stuart’s private ceremony. This book, “Absalom Absalom,” tells the story of a man from West Virginia who travels to Mississippi to become wealthy and to lead his family to fame. Khayat, who is now retired from his university position, recalls having conversations with Haggard twice. The first was held at Faulkner’s Rowan Oak home on June 2, 2003 when Marty Stuart, a fellow performer from Mississippi, hosted a news conference to announce an “Electric Barnyard Tour” across the country. The second was a quick hello in 2012, when Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame by Stuart’s wife, Connie Smith. He said that Haggard and he walked to Rowan Oak’s side in Oxford while the rest of the neighborhood chattered. Khayat said that he was curious to find out who the Faulkner man was. Marty later said Merle called him one evening from Minnesota to inquire about the location of the big white house in Mississippi. Stuart reminded him that it was in Oxford. Haggard replied, “You think they’d sell that to me?” Khayat was asked Wednesday what his favorite Haggard song was. He first said he had 10 favorites. He said, “But, you’re right, I really love If You Make It Through December.” Khayat described Haggard as “a real worker; a wonderful, committed performer.”