Billy Graham Children, Grandchildren, Wife, Family, Death, Biography

Billy Graham is widely regarded as one of the most eminent evangelists to ever walk the earth. From America to the world, this Southern Baptist ordained Christian pastor devoted the best years of his long life to spreading the gospel of Christ to as many countries and territories as he could reach.

Graham held several mega crusades in various locations around the world which were televised in the 20th century and are also re-aired in the 21st century. By these means he is said to have reached as many as 2 billion people with the gospel.

Billy Graham’s Biography

Billy Graham was born William Franklin Graham Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 7, 1918. His parents were dairy farmers and he had 3 younger siblings; sisters Catherine Morrow and Jean and a brother named Melvin Thomas. Growing up, his family belonged to the associated denomination of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. He had his early education at Sharon Grammar School after which he attended Sharon High School. Graham originally enrolled to study at Bob Jones College, but after only one semester transferred to Florida Bible Institute. He then earned a degree in anthropology from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

Graham was ordained at Peniel Baptist Church in Palatka, Florida in 1939 after graduating from the Florida Bible Institute. Thus, he was already an active Christian minister during his studies at Wheaton College. After graduating from college, he pastored the First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois from 1943 to 1944. He started his radio ministry soon after with the help of his congregation.

At 29, Billy Graham became the youngest president of Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis and he served in that capacity from 1948 to 1952. His ministry received a major boost when he was hired as a full-time evangelist by the Youth for Christ International (YFCI), a global Christian movement aimed at reaching young people around the world. Under this platform, he was able to tour the United States and Europe, preaching the gospel. In 1949, Graham organized a chain of crusades in the Los Angeles area which attracted much national media coverage. The program was originally supposed to last only 3 weeks, but it eventually lasted 8 weeks, and the heavy media coverage it garnered turned Graham into a national figure in the United States.

Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) was founded by Billy Graham in 1950 and has since blossomed into a worldwide evangelical movement, spanning different continents. During his 5 decades of Christian ministry, Graham led countless crusades in over 185 countries around the world. He was also a spiritual advisor to several American presidents, from 33 (Harry S. Truman) to 44 (Barack Obama). Graham was also a major contributor to the civil rights movement in America as he outlawed racial segregation from his crusading grounds in the 1950s.

Family: wife, children, grandchildren

Billy Graham was married for nearly 64 years to Ruth Graham (née Bell). The duo had met during their undergraduate studies at Wheaton College. They married on August 13, 1943, shortly after graduating from college. The couple had 5 children together.

As expected, Ms. Graham played a pivotal role in Billy Graham’s evangelistic career. She is also the author of several books, most of which are works of poetry and she is also involved in painting. She was also a well-known philanthropist. Ruth Graham’s life came to an end on June 14, 2007, when she reached the ripe old age of 87.

The Grahams have 3 daughters; Virginia Leftwich “Gigi” Graham (b. 1945), Anne Graham Lotz (b. 1948), Ruth “Bunny” Graham (b. 1950) and 2 sons; William Franklin Graham III (b. 1952) and Nelson Edman Graham (b. 1958). Interestingly, a good number of Graham’s children traced their famous father’s path to Christian ministry. Billy Graham was already blessed with 19 grandchildren at the time of his death.

Virginia Leftwich Graham is an inspirational speaker and writer. In 1998, she collaborated with her mother Ruth on the book Mothers Together. Anne Graham Lotz is a renowned evangelist, speaker and writer. She founded AnGeL Ministries, an independent Christian organization through which she exercises her multiple ministry. Ruth Graham is a Bible teacher, bestselling author and speaker.

Franklin Graham is an evangelist and missionary. He is President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and also of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization. Nelson Edman “Ned” Graham is a pastor and also president of East Gates Ministries International, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Church in China.

Dead

Billy Graham was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 1992 which contributed to his retirement from full-time ministry. There has also been a drastic reduction in the number of public appearances he has made over the years. Despite his failing health, Graham lived to a very mature old age.

On February 21, 2018, Billy Graham, 99, died of natural causes at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, surrounded by his close family. His remains were interred on March 2, 2018, following a private funeral service. He was buried in the prayer garden on the northeast side of the Billy Graham Library located in his hometown of Charlotte, the same place where his wife was buried.