Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Ripon, California, July 12, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The sudden demise of veteran singer Walter Hawkins yesterday left his family members and fans shattered. The Grammy winning singer, composer and pastor from Oakland was suffering from pancreatic cancer and ultimately he died at his home in Ripon, California. The news of his death was confirmed by his brother Edwin Hawkins. He was 61.

Bishop Walter Hawkins’ death news was posted in a reputed social networking site yesterday when another gospel legend, Pastor Shirley Caesar in his personal homepage wrote a message which said that only blessed thoughts and prayers “go out to the Hawkins” family and everyone who loved Bishop Walter Hawkins and in the end he added that “may Walter Hawkins” rests in peace. The Grammy winning gospel singer was suffering from pancreatic cancer from past two years and recently his health was deteriorating all the more. This was evident when he could not attend the Stellar Award earlier this year and also last month he could not attend his brother Edwin Hawkins’ “Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference” in Chicago due to his illness. It seems that with the death of Bishop Walter Hawkins an era came to an end.

Bishop Walter Hawkins was one of the most beloved pastors and figures in contemporary Gospel Music today. He started his career in 1972 when he recorded his first album “Do Your Best”, the other famous compositions by him are “Going Up Yonder”, “Changed”, “Be Grateful” and many others. He received 9 Grammy nominations and won his Grammy Award in 1980 for his “The Lord’s Prayer”. Walter Hawkins is survived by his two children Trystan Hawkins and R&B singer Walter James Hawkins.