By Robert M. Marovich
The Journal of Gospel Music learned of the passing on June 17, 2026, of singer Beau Williams.
Born in Houston, Texas, in 1960, Beau Williams was a PK and choir director, and started his professional singing career performing R&B. Signed to Capitol Records on the strength of a recommendation from guitar wizard George Benson, Williams cut four albums for Capitol between 1982 and 1986, but returned to gospel music full time and signed with Light Records in 1989. His first album with Light, Wonderful, rose to number two on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart; the title track, a cover of the Soul Stirrers hit written by Virginia Davis and sung by Sam Cooke, hit number one on the Gospel Singles Chart. The song earned Williams a Dove Award and the album a Stellar and Grammy nomination.
Altogether, Williams cut four albums for Light: Wonderful, Higher, Love, and Power. His final album, for his own Elbeau Records, was released in 2021. His tenor voice was flexible and frictionless, allowing him to yodel in the high register just like Sam Cooke and Johnny Taylor. Williams also appeared on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and Bobby Jones Gospel.
Please keep Beau Williams’ family, friends, and many fans in your prayers during this difficult time.
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
