Via Eurweb.com:
The world will say goodbye to gospel legend Walter Hawkins on Wednesday, July 21 in Oakland, Calif. A musical tribute will also commence the night before in his honor.
Hawkins, pastor of Oakland’s Love Center Church, passed away July 11 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was only 61-years-old.
Carrying on his legacy are his two children Walter “Jamie” and Trystan Hawkins; daughter-in-law Myiia Hawkins, and two grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.
According to Love Center Ministries, the singer and pastor was preparing to record a new album this fall.
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During his 30-plus-year career in gospel, which consisted of at least 14 albums since 1975, Hawkins created an extensive catalog of music both as a solo artist and with his family ensemble.
Bishop Walter Hawkins and Donnie McClurkin “Thank You”
Songs like ‘Thank You,’ ‘Marvelous,’ ‘Going Up Yonder,’ ‘Holy One,’ ‘Be Grateful,’ ‘It’s Right and Good’ and countless others have become anthems, earning Hawkins an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as a Trailblazer Award by his music publishing company, BMI. A singer, songwriter, producer and arranger, Hawkins found himself collaborating with artists from rocker Van Morrison, R&B star Jeffrey Osborne, actress Diahann Carroll and the late disco king Sylvester to gospel greats like Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, Mississippi Mass Choir and the Williams Brothers.
