Billy Graham crusade worship leader George Beverly Shea passed away

Worship leader George Beverly Shea who was with Billy Graham’s crusade for 60 years passed away on Tuesday after brief illness.

Shea who was often called ‘America’s Beloved Gospel Singer,’ with deep baritone voice met Graham in Chicago in 1943 when he first sang for Graham on the Chicago radio.

Shea then carried the Gospel songs throughout the USA, received two Grammy Awards, and was a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.

George Beverly Shea was one of the busiest people on Billy Graham Evangelistic Team serving through crusade, dates in radio and television. He also recorded over 70 albums.

Numerous comments flooded the official Facebook page of George Beverly "Bev" Shea after the announcement that Mr. Shea went to be with the Lord. Fans and friends paid honor to Mr. Shea addressing him as a wonderful person and vocalist.  

One of the comments reads, “I am an older woman but I remember him as a child when Billy Graham would come to my little town of Stockton Ca and preach at the fair grounds... At the end of the service he would always sing, Just As I Am... “

The official website of Billy Graham, http://www.billygraham.org, now contains a statement by Billy Graham on the passing of George Beverly Shea, which reads, “Bev was one of the most humble and greatest Christians I have ever known. He has set an example and has been a role model of what a Christian ought to be. His contribution to my ministry cannot be measured in human terms. He is the fourth member of our original team to be called to heaven – along with Grady Wilson, George Wilson and Billie Barrows.”

Continue to read the statement at http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=9348.

Today, a tribute to George Beverly Shea was published at http://bit.ly/11gkjqh featuring a video looking back at his life and legacy. 

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