Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and composer Walter Hawkins died at his home in Ripon, Calif., on Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer for the past two years, his ministry reported.

Hawkins, who was 61 at the time of his death, was nominated nine times for a Grammy Award over the course of his career, winning one in 1980 for his performance of “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Hawkins was also pastor of the Love Center Church in Oakland – a job he reportedly relished as much as he enjoyed singing.

“Early on I thought my ministry and my music were apart from each other," he once said. “But now I see they work hand-in-hand.”

Hawkins is survived by his two children, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, and his five siblings.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

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