Billy Graham Wishes George Beverly Shea a Happy 100th Birthday

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks on February 5, 2009

On Monday longtime Billy Graham soloist George Beverly Shea celebrated his 100th birthday. More than 250 people came to The Cove retreat center in Ashville, N.C., for the private party.

“I couldn’t have had a ministry without him,” Billy Graham said, too frail to hold the microphone himself. “Thank you and God be with you. I love you.”

Shea was presented with a Rodgers organ as a gift, which he tried out for the crowd, though the organ is more of a loaner. Franklin Graham noted that Shea can keep it as long as he lives. After his death it will be donated to the Angola State Penitentiary.

Billy Graham’s public appearance might give some measure of credibility to speculation that he’ll travel to Minneapolis later this year to attend a dedication at Northwestern College, where he served as president in the 1940s.