Walter Hawkins | Gospel singer, 61

Walter Hawkins, 61, a Grammy-winning gospel singer, composer, and pastor from Oakland, Calif., died of pancreatic cancer Sunday in Ripon, Calif.

Mr. Hawkins studied for his divinity degree at the University of California, Berkeley. While at the university, he recorded his first album, Do Your Best, in 1972. The next year, he became a pastor and founded the Love Center Church in Oakland, where he also formed a choir.

In the 1980s, Mr. Hawkins recorded several albums and earned nine Grammy nominations, according to a friend and family representative, Bill Carpenter. His "The Lord's Prayer" won a Grammy in 1980 and he also performed on the televised Grammy ceremony that year. - AP