The Rev. Billy Graham 1918-2018

The Reverend Billy Graham poses for a portrait in 1968 in the U.S. William Franklin Graham, an ordained Southern Baptist Minister, is known for his worldwide evangelistic crusades that resemble pop festivals.

Graham, who is said to have preached about Jesus Christ to more people than any other person in history, died Wed., February 21, 2018. He was 99.

England

Billy Graham, the American evangelist, the Bible beneath his hand, pounds his knee as he is interviewed aboard the liner United States February 26, 1954, upon his arrival from New York to Southampton.

Pasadena, Calif.

Billy Graham preaches on the third night of the Greater Los Angeles Billy Graham Crusade on November 20, 2004 in Pasadena, California.

Graham, who has counseled every President since Harry Truman, is said to have preached to more people around the globe than any other minister.

Graham's 2004 service - which marked the 55th anniversary of the 86-year-old preacher's first crusade to evangelize in Pasadena - used gospel rock bands to reach out to young people.

Billy and Ruth Graham

Billy Graham, the American evangelist, and his wife Ruth, pose aboard the liner United States February 23, 1954, before their arrival from New York to Southampton, England.

Graham, the son of a dairy farmer, was born in 1918 in Charlotte, N.C. He attended Florida Bible Institute and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and quickly gained a reputation as a preacher. During the 1950s he conducted a series of highly organized revivalist campaigns in the U.S., the U.K. and, later, in South America, the U.S.S.R. and Western Europe.

Family Portrait

The Rev. Billy Graham, 35, is greeted by his wife and children, Virginia, 8 (left), Anne, 6 (right) and Ruth ("Bunny"), 3 (foreground), aboard the liner Queen Mary on his return to New York June 7, 1954, from a religious tour of Europe.

Madison Square Garden

The Rev. Billy Graham preaches at New York City's Madison Square Garden, May 20, 1957.

Paris

Billy Graham, the American evangelist, preaches in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 faithful in Paris, May 13, 1963. At left, French Pastor J. Blocher.

Paris

Billy Graham, the American evangelist, preaches in the 1960s in Paris.

China

The Rev. Billy Graham and his wife Ruth walk in front of Ruth's birthplace in Huaiyin, Jiangsu province, China, April 19 1988.

China

The Rev. Billy Graham addresses Chinese faithful in front of the birthplace of his wife Ruth, in Huaiyin, Jiangsu province, China, April 20, 1988.

Hong Kong

Billy Graham, the American evangelist, preaches November 7, 1990 in Hong Kong, during his tour of Asia and the Pacific region.

New York City

Billy Graham, the American evangelist, preaches in front of an estimated crowd of 200,000 faithful gathered in Central Park in New York City, September 22, 1991.

Moscow

The Rev. Billy Graham preaches in front of an estimated crowd of 30,000 faithful gathered in Moscow's Olympic Stadium, October 23, 1992.

Rev. Graham and President Nixon

Former President Richard Nixon is accompanied by The Rev. Billy Graham as they arrive at the Richard Nixon Library June 25, 1993, where former First Lady Pat Nixon was lying in state. Mrs. Nixon, 81, had died June 22, 1993 at the Nixon home in Park Ridge, N.J. of lung cancer. To the right is Nixon's daughter, Julie.

Global Mission

Evangelist Billy Graham talks to the press in New York about his planned Global Mission, February 7, 1995, in which he would take his crusade to 165 countries in more than 80 languages, via a live simultaneous satellite transmission from Puerto Rico scheduled for March 16 of that year.

Washington, D.C.

Evangelist Billy Graham is applauded on Capitol Hill May 2, 1996, after receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Among the crowd, from left, are: Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., Elizabeth Dole; Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kas.; Vice President Al Gore; and House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Washington, D.C.

Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich presents Evangelist Billy Graham with a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Capitol Hill May 2, 1996. Graham's wife, Ruth, watches.

Washington, D.C.

President Bill Clinton bows his head as Reverend Billy Graham gives the invocation at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony January 20, 1997, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at which Mr. Clinton was sworn in for a second term.

Washington, D.C.

President Bill Clinton embraces Reverend Billy Graham January 20, 1997, during the inaugural luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

Texas

Former U.S. President George Bush kisses his wife Barbara November 6, 1997, as preacher Billy Graham looks on, at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony of the George Bush Library in College Station, Texas.

Washington, D.C.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan and Reverend Billy Graham embrace during the gala dedication of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center May 5, 1998, in Washington, D.C.

California

A portrait of Reverend Billy Graham, November 11, 1999, in Century City, Calif.

Beverly Hills

Former first lady Nancy Reagan and Elizabeth Dole pose with Rev. Billy Graham after honoring him with the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award in recognition of his "monumental and lasting contribution to the cause of religious freedom," during a ceremony April 5, 2000 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Past recipients of the award include Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Colin Powell, Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan.

Jacksonville, Fla.

Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush and his wife Laura stand beside the Rev. Billy Graham as Graham announces his support for Bush November 5, 2000, in Jacksonville, Florida. Two days later, the election in Florida was thrown into turmoil until the contest was decided by the Supreme Court.

Washington, D.C.

British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer presents evangelist Dr. Billy Graham with an honorary knighthood December 6, 2001, in recognition of his services to civic and religious life, in a ceremony at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Cincinnati, Ohio

The Reverend Billy Graham receives a kiss from Christian rock star Michael Tate of the band dcTalk June 29, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Graham was holding the third night of his mission at Paul Brown Stadium.

Irving, Texas

Former U.S. President George Bush and the Rev. Billy Graham talk during the first of a four-day revival meeting October 17, 2002 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. Graham, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, turns 84 in November.

Irving, Texas

The Reverend Billy Graham addresses the media at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002. Rev. Graham said Tuesday that his upcoming North Texas appearances are meant to reach out to people searching for guidance in an uncertain world.

Queens, N.Y.

Tomas Rodriguez raises his arms while singing at the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade June 24, 2005, at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York.

Queens, N.Y.

Rev. Billy Graham preaches at the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade June 26, 2005 held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York.

Queens, N.Y.

Rev. Billy Graham preaches at the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade June 26, 2005 held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York.

Baltimore, Md.

Evangelist Billy Graham and his son Franklin take part in the Metro Maryland 2006 Festival July 9, 2006 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Franklin Graham led the three-day-program filled with music, prayers and gospel messages.

Montreal, N.C.

Billy Graham, Ruth Graham funeral, Montreat, N.C., June 16, 2007 — AP

Billy Graham, left, speaks during a memorial service for his wife, Ruth Graham, in Montreat, N.C., Saturday, June 16, 2007. Ruth Graham died on Thursday, June 14, at age 87 following a lengthy illness that left her bedridden for months.

Charlotte, N.C.

Evangelist Billy Graham addresses the audience from the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Approximately 1,500 guests - including former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton - attended the private dedication ceremony for the library, which chronicles the life and teachings of Graham.

Charlotte, N.C.

Franklin Graham helps his father, Rev. Billy Graham, to the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush made short speeches during the dedication ceremony.

Charlotte, N.C.

Evangelist Billy Graham is greeted by former U.S. President Bill Clinton on the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rev. Graham died on Feb. 21, 2018. He was 99.