Billy and Ruth Graham
George Burnham
George Brunham, left, and Billy Graham
Dr. Billy and Ruth Graham spent their 78th wedding anniversary together in Heaven on Aug. 13th. No one knew the Grahams better in the 1950's than News Free Press Reporter George Burnham. He covered the 1953 Chattanooga crusade for the paper. His stories even went worldwide on both AP and UPI.
Burnham later traveled with the famous Evangelist. He went with Mr. Graham to England, Europe, behind the Iron Curtain and India. He wrote articles for the Chattanooga paper in addition to wire stories that were printed in several hundred newspapers.
Burnham went on to write four books on Billy Graham including the famous 1957 New York Crusade attended by President Donald Trump and his father.
Several years ago Burnham’s daughter Lynn allowed me access to her father’s personal files. Burnham was more than a reporter he was a very close friend to Dr. Graham and his family.
Burnham died unexpectedly almost 60 years ago. Glad I got to know George via his stories. The writings gave us a lot knowledge about America’s pastor who passed away Feb. 18, 2018.