Rev. Billy Graham Dies At 99

Billy Graham (Shutterstock.com)

Evangelist Rev. BILLY GRAHAM has passed away at 99.  The influential preacher died TODAY (2/21) at his home in MONTREAT, NC after a long battle with various ailments, including cancer, Parkinson's disease, and pneumonia.

GRAHAM began his annual "BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADES" in 1947 and counseled U.S. presidents starting with HARRY TRUMAN through BARACK OBAMA.  As a young preacher at an ILLINOIS church, he took over a friend's radio show, "SONGS IN THE NIGHT," hiring singer GEORGE BEVERLY SHEA as his radio ministry director.  After moving into national prominence with revival meetings in LOS ANGELES in 1949, GRAHAM started the weekly "HOUR OF DECISION" radio show in 1950 on ABC; he hosted the show for a few years before handing the hosting reins to CLIFF BARROWS, who hosted the show until he passed away in 2016, the last year online while the broadcast version, retitled "PEACE WITH GOD" and hosted by BILL MAIER, ran until early 2015.  GRAHAM, over the years, also wrote a syndicated newspaper column, produced movies, and published magazines, along with his ubiquitous television specials.

The BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION also owns Contemporary Christian WMIT (106.9 THE LIGHT)/BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC.  The organization also produced a limited-run channel on SIRIUSXM last NOVEMBER in conjunction with GRAHAM's 99th birthday.  Son FRANKLIN GRAHAM now serves as President/CEO of the organization and has continued his father's ministry.

SALEM RADIO NETWORK VP/News & Talk Programming TOM TRADUP tells ALL ACCESS that SRN NEWS and TOWNHALL NEWS are providing affiliates with special reports hourly on GRAHAM's life, and WHITE HOUSE correspondent GREG CLUGSTON is on his way to NORTH CAROLINA to get local perspective and report on preparations for the memorial service, which reports indicate President TRUMP will attend.  “We are saddened at Dr. GRAHAM’s passing,” said TRADUP. “But as Christians we rejoice in his life and know he is seeing the glory of Heaven today.”

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