- The Washington Times - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Grammy-winning gospel singer George Beverly Shea, an integral part of the ministry of Rev. Billy Graham for more than seven decades, died Tuesday after a brief illness at the age of 104, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced.

Mr. Shea first sang for the charismatic Christian minister on a Chicago radio show in 1943 and joined Mr. Graham on nearly every one of his famous “Crusades” around the globe in the decades following. The Ontario-born singer was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammy organization in 2011 and was also a member of both the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

“I’ve been listening to Bev Shea sing for more than 70 years, and I would still rather hear him sing than anyone else I know,” Mr. Graham said in a statement Tuesday from his home in Montreat, N.C.

“He has set an example and has been a role model of what a Christian ought to be. His contribution to many ministry cannot be measured in human terms,” Mr. Graham said.

Mr. Shea is survived by his wife, Karlene, and a son and daughter from his first marriage, the BGEA said. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Erma, who died in 1976

• David R. Sands can be reached at dsands@washingtontimes.com.

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