WALTER HAWKINS DIES OF CANCER
July 12, 2010 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
BISHOP WALTER HAWKINS
By Darryl Izzard
If anybody ask you where I’m going…tell them that I’m going up yonder to be with my Lord. These are the words written by the legendary Bishop Walter L. Hawkins, who died on Sunday, July 11, 2010 after a bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 61. Our prayers are with his family. “Today, I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend,” said Hawkins’ brother, Edwin Hawkins. “Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more and he will be greatly missed.”
Bishop Hawkins’ prolific talents as a writer, singer, musician, and producer influenced multiple generations of gospel artists and musicians. He gave us countless songs that have carried us through the best and worst of times. Many of those songs, even those written decades ago, are still ringing out in sanctuaries across the world today.
His library of songs is seemingly endless. Words can’t really describe what one feels while experiencing a Walter Hawkins song. Songs like Thank You, Goin Up Yonder, Changed, Be Grateful, and When the Battle is Over are easily recognizable to both young and old Christian music lovers.
Over three decades ago, Hawkins came on the gospel music scene with a fresh new musical approach that was way before its time. In the days of traditional gospel, he offered a contemporary sound that set him in a class by himself. Album after album, he gave the world excellence in gospel music. This gospel music icon pushed the envelope with pristine harmony wrapped around anointed lyrics that pierced the soul. His contribution to the industry is unparalleled.
Hawkins was unable to make the last few major industry events, such as the Stellars in January 2010, and the highly acclaimed Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar, due to his illness. In fact, many in the industry learned of his illness during these events.
Funeral arrangements and details of the homegoing celebration have not yet been released. GT will pass along this information as it is released. Hawkins will be greatly missed, but his music will live forever. We thank God for His great gift in the life and legacy of Bishop Walter Hawkins.
I will certainly miss Bishop Walter Hawkins. I met him in the early sixty through his brother Edwin in Oakland. I loved all his songs and he will be greatly miss.
Bishop Hawkins impacted life, ever since I can remember as a child, my Mother played his Vinyls faithfully. He shaped my love for Gospel Music & You will be forever missed!!!
My Father passed away a few years ago. To say the very least I was grief stricken. I could not function I prayed for peace it was just not happening.
One day my housekeeper was here and brought some spiritual C.D.s All very nice songs. THEN I heard Walter singing I’m going up to yonder. I played that song so much that my housekeeper gave it to me! That day I experciened Sweet peace. I still miss my father,but I not only function but live a full life of happiness,because I know where my father is,and he is not suffering.The song has pulled all my Bible readings and prayers together.
I feel a deep sense of pain for the Walter Hawkins family, through him I was able to get my life back. May his family and friends remember where he is going. He is such a young man.However he is with his Lord!
Love You Walter,and the Hawkins family,
Stephanie
When my father died in 2009, my mother tired to find someone to sing, I’m Going Up Yonder,” at his funeral. This was one of my father’s favorite song. On the day of the funeral, one the pastors being to sing that song. When I heard it, I begin to cry and praise GOD because even though my father was not there in the flesh, he was spirit. It was confirmation to me that everything was well. I know that it is going to be some hard days for the family, but GOD does not make mistakes. Bishop Hawkins is in a better place. Remember the life he lead as a man of GOD and know that “He’s GONE Up Yonder.” Be Blessed and my prayers are with the Hawkins Family.
Just wanted to extend my condolences to The Hawkins Family, the gospel community has lost a great musican, writer and singer in God’s army all of his songs let you know who Jesus is and how to get to know him. He is now singing among the angels in Heaven. God Bless
Praise God for using such a talented ambassador of Christ as an instrument to glorify his name. May the Lord comfort his love ones during this time of his assending to be with our Lord.
Praise God for using such a talented ambassador of Christ as an instrument to glorify his name. May the Lord comfort his love ones during this time of his ascending to be with our Lord.
May God Bless all those who worked closely with him. We will truly miss him but Thank God for such great Praise and Workship songs.
Loved, Love Alive I,II,III etc, etc. Tremendous insight lyrically which prophetically set the stage for what we are listening to now.
Great comfort and peace be to his family.
I deeply missed and pray for my friend Bishop Walter Hawkin where i met him in Charleston, SC and he was praying me about the old job i was going for a job hunting and I wanted to thank Bishop Hawkin the word he spoke to me that he told me God will lift you up in the future and I will pray for him and the church and the Walker families.
Those of us who grew up in the black Pentecostal church in the ’70s, ’80s, or early ’90s listened to Walter Hawkins music like the secular kids listened to Michael Jackson. Big difference, though. Walter’s sound was contemporary, but his message was timeless. It was always about loving and trusting Jesus. From “Dear Jesus, I love You” to “A Wonderful Change has come over Me” to “Potter’s House” to “Thank you, Lord for all You’ve Done for Me.” Because of Walter, we youn’ons were able to express our true love for our Savior and still be fiercely “cool” with it.
What he and his brother Edwin brought to gospel was fresh style. Remember how beautiful a young Tramaine was(and still is) singing “He Brought Me from a Mighty Long Way”? Her mezzo-soprano vocals would flutter up to heaven on angels wings and drop back down to earth, wafting in our delighted ears as we listened in totally awe. Along with Walter’s awesome tenor, Edwin’s smooth baritone, Lynette’s powerful vocals (very similar to Walter’s), Shirley M’s contralto, we were left to wonder how any group of singers could get down like that and look so classy!
We were glad when Walter finally cut his Al Sharptonesque ‘do, though. He looked even better then. Like Sinbad.
All praises to God, and much kuddos to our belated Walter Hawkins. We pray that his transition was an easy one. As he rests in the arms of Jesus, I hope he knows that through his music, “heaven sent us a very wonderful, supernatural, special gift.”
THe Hawkins Family is in my prayers at this time. To the Fam: You have not lost your brother. See when you lose something you don’t know where it is. You can lose your keys, you can lose your job, you can even lose your mind I’ve heard. But you have not lost Bishop Hawkins. As Christians we have that blessed hope that on that great getting up morning, when the dead in Christ shall rise and those of us that remain shall be caught up to meet Him in the air. Bishop Hawkins will be there. So be Blessed, Be Encouraged and Be Strengthen in the Lord. He’s just resting now, awaiting that day when we can all meet on the sea of glass. Oh what a glorious day that will be! WHen we all get to heaven, we’ll sing and shout the victory!
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Hawkins family and the gospel community. For many years I have listened and enjoyed the music of Walter Hawkins. This great gospel legend will truly be missed. Thank God for such inspirational music he’s left us with.
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