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Rest In Peace: Walter Hawkins
Published by Torrence Glenn on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 8:40 pm.
Gospel great (an overused term but most appropriate here) Bishop Walter L. Hawkins died today after battling with cancer for some time.We send our prayers and support to Edwin Hawkins, Lynette Hawkins-Stephens, his former wife Tremaine Hawkins, his son Jamie Hawkins(Walter Hawkins Jr.), his daughter Trystan, The Love Center Church and all of his family and friends.
Many of us learned of Walter’s sickness earlier this year when he was unable to attend the Stellar Awards In January. Last month, we thought that he would attend he and his brother’s annual “Music & Arts Love Fellowship Conference” in Chicago this past June but ultimately he was unable to. Walter was one of the most influential voices and songwriters in gospel music. His true tenor voice was one to strive for and remained consistent throughout his entire career. As a songwriter, he wrote classic and memorable songs that you’ve undoubtedly sung at some point in your gospel life. For me personally, Walter Hawkins had songs that were literally the soundtrack to major milestones in my spiritual development. (“Thank You Lord” still puts a knot in my throat and I have to sing along and it’s not unusual for me to cry when I hear it. ) An artist for over 40 years, many of his song were probably recorded before you were born. But the minute you hear the opening chords, you know them today in 2010. If you think I’m lying. Let’s just go down a SHORT list:
1. Thank You (probably one of the most popular gospel songs ever after “Oh Happy Day”)
2. Be Grateful
3. Going Up Yonder
4. Changed
5. When The Battle Is Over
6. God Is Standing By
7. It’s Right And Good
8. Try Christ
9. Never Alone
10. It’s Right & Good
11. Marvelous
And I could keep going. I can’t even get into the hits and memorable songs he sang with his brother Edwin and The Hawkins Family or with other artists such as Donald Lawrence’s “Seasons.” It’s hard for me to type this piece because it’s still very fresh and difficult. So as I always do when a great artist that I’m a fan of passes on, I’ll just linger in the music for a little while. Take a listen below to some selected tracks either sung or written by Walter Hawkins and reflect with me. Walter, we miss you and thanks for leaving us music that thankfully will never die.
Torrence
Praise the Lord everybody and angel have been sent forthBACK to his home. And the angels in heaven are rejoicing to recieve there brotheren in song and praise. He lead us into deep worship here on earth and he may sing to the highest praise with a mansion in heaven by the clear blue still waters of GOD’S MOST INFAMOUS GLORY.
This was really a surprise. Mr. Hawkins will truely be missed. His music inspired and encouraged me tremendosly. I could be down in my spirit, and hear one on his songs, and I would get a smile on my face, and be rocking from side -to-side before I knew it. I believe his audience could feel what he was singing, because he felt what he was singing. What an annointed man of God. To his family & friends, you are in my prayers.
Mr. Walter Hawkins is a individual that we all will really missed. We love you!
Rest in Peace Walter Hawkins I have enjoyed your music for many years..
Walter Hawkins was a legend and will be missed by many.My favorite gospel by Bishop Hawkins was Just A Prayer Away.
I just wanna say he completely changed my thinking when i first heard the song thank you.I only heard it for the first time about 3 months ago.I am blessed to experience his music,it brings tears to my eyes.I want to offer my prayers to his family ,he helped bring me closer to god through his music,so he did reach the young people with his music he touched me! Thank you jesus for allowing me to experience that! I have only known of him for 3 months but I am deeply saddened by this!
I have been listening and singing along all week as the radio stations….and BET has shared awesome memories of the Imminent Pastor Walter Hawkins contributions as a Psalmist.
My family always gathered on Sunday mornings in my sister’s kitchen and sang along with Pastor Hawkins’ songs. We sang loud!
However, I am reminded of a specific moment in my life when my husband walked into our home…..went to the stereo and lowered the volume of a Walter Hawkin’s LP….I remembered the song playing was, “He’s That Kind of Friend” My husband grabbed my hand….sat me down at the kitchen table and told me he was HIV positive. God and Walter Hawkins’ songs literally carried me, my husband and our son through 35 years of life health and strength….and my husband is still alive….Praise the Lord! Thank you God for allowing my family the opportunity to enjoy your child (Walter Hawkins) for a little while.
may god bless and comfort the hawkins family my prayers are with you
i truly enjoyed his music may he rest in peace
I will mis Bishop Walter Hawkins. I’m Greateful to have know of the Hawkins great music. I met Edwin back in the Early 70’s. I always wanted to sing with James Cleveland & Walter. I wont get a chance to sing down here but “I’m Going Up Yonder” and I will meet them there. God Bless The Hawkins Family & as I always say All is Well.
To the family of the Late Great Bishop Walter Hawkins…May God forever bless and keep you in his loving arms. There is no more suffering and pain that your loved one would have to endure. I think back on my times growing up when my sisters and I would be in our room singing, and we would sing “Goin’ Up Yonder”, “Changed”, “Marvelous”, “When the Battle is Over”, and “Be Grateful”. Lord have Mercy….I know the music will live on in the lifes of the ones the love GOOD GOSPEL MUSIC. So for the ones that was blessed to really know the man that so many of us love through his music; just thank the Lord that you had the chance to know and love him up close and personal, and remember he is in a much better place. God Bless the Hawkins Family.
My prayers are with the Hawkins family, I was watching BET this morning and was wondering why Walter Hawkins videos were be played back to back. Then I read the foot notes stating that he had passed. I could not believe it what I was seeing.
Walter Hawkins has been a big part of my life for years, if can’t remember any other words to songs I can remember Walter Hawkins for some reason. And I thank God for such awsome talent that will never be forgotten.
God bless
walter hawkins was truly a gospel icon, it is because of those type of songs that kept my heart always dwelling on the things of the Lord and would keep me uplifted and encouraged when ever i am feeling down his songs always brought me back. I LOVE HIS MUSIC BACK IN THE DAY AND IN THIS PRESENT DAY, MAY HIS MUSIC LIVE ON AND ON AND ON IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN TRULY BLESSED BY IT SO I AM NOT SAYING GOODBYE WALTER I AM SAYING SEE YOU LATER! :=D
I am praying for you and your family. I heard that Walter Hawkins had passed over the gospel radio station I listen to on Sunday Mornings. I will truly miss listening to that melodious voice that he had.I’ve enjoyed listening to the Hawkins singers for years. I know God will give you the comfort you need.
Growing up in Oakland, Ca Love Center brought me and my family hope for a better life you will be miss Bishop Walter Hawkins, and yes my life is better thank you Hawkins Family
To The Hawkins Family:
I share in your grief today. Bishop Hawkins has been an inspiration in my life over the years listening to his music.
Keep in mind… A Sunset on Earth….Is A Sunrise in Heaven.
To the Hawkins family…….
My heart is truley with you oh how I love him and his wife what a couple and a family…. Truley Blessed talented Family. I love ya’ll so much and I beleive you all choosen people, you have touch the world with the songs you sang…. RIP Brother Walter a Gospel Icon is gone to be with the Lord.. and we all must get it right ….You have Encourage me!!!!!! I’m speechless I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
I feel so honored to have been blessed by Bishop Walter Hawkins’ music. He was a true gift given to the world by the Most High God! His music uplifted all who listened and compelled them to draw near to God. May your family receive the grace, peace, comfort, strength and support that God has already given for this challenging time. The legacy of Bishop Hawkins will live on for generations to come. The seeds he planted for the Kingdom of God will continue to produce a harvest and “fruit that remains”. Be comforted and encouraged in the fact that Bishop Hawkins is now walking the “Street of Gold”. He has finally heard those words from the Lord that we all want to hear “Well Done, thy good and faithful servant”. Praying for you!!!!!
TO THE HAWKINS FAMILY…….he will truly be missed but always in our hearts. I love all of his music but the two songs that touched me the most is HE,S THAT KIND OF FRIEND AND THANK YOU LORD.May god bless the HAWKINS FAMILY.
I first met Walter Hawkins and brother Edwin at Prayer Garden COGIC in San Jose in 1968 or @@. At the time I was the pianist & organist for Evangelist A. A. Allen. When the Northern California State Youth Choir first released “Oh Happy Day” (before it was picked up and became a hit), David Davis and I played it every other night in the Allen crusades. When I recorded my first solo organ album (with Lari Goss) in 1971, I included several of their songs such as Walter’s “When You Try”, and Edwin’s “Try the Real Thing”, He’s My All & All” and “My Lord is Coming Back.” Walter, I knew you mainly from a distance, but you’ll be missed.
Bishop Hawkins was a gift from GOD,to the world. His music inspired many writers to write songs that lift sthe spirit, and his sermons helped individuals to live productive lives in the community.
We were so blessed to have this gift. We heard song from the heart of God, that will forever transform into being more like Him.
What is the proper thing to say when you receive a gift? “Thank you, Lord!”
As Bishop Hawkins wrote, ” Thank you Lord, for all you’ve done for me.”
The news of his death came as a surprise to me but I remember many songs that really blessed me especially GOING UP YONDER which we sang a lot in the choir. Well, that was years ago and now you have brought the song to fruitition for you are NOW UP YONDER with THE LORD OF LORD AND THE KING OF KINGS Hallelujah ! Prayers go out to the Hawkins Family but you don’t have to grieve as those without HOPE AMEN for you know that Bishop Hawkins is now resting in the arms of the LORD. God will see you THROUGH this difficult time believe me I know HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN.