User:Dpride42/Willa Dorsey

Willa Dorsey (1933-2009) was an American gospel singer.

Dorsey was born July 2, 1933 in Atlanta, Georgia, an only child. She began singing at a young age, surprising her parents with her amazing voice. Her father taught her how to play piano, which she mastered and played until the end of her life. A couple years after the death of both of her parents when she was just 17, she began singing gospel songs, coached by her father's cousin, Thomas A. Dorsey, author of "Precious Lord" and "Peace in the Valley." She eventually traveled the world, singing to presidents and kings, as well as churches in nearly 40 countries. She sang with the Billy Graham Crusade and appeared several times on the Lawrence Welk Show.

Dorsey recorded eight albums: I Can Sing About My Jesus (which includes 3 songs she wrote), I'll Walk with God, Perhaps Today, The World's Most Exciting Gospel Singer (for which she was nominated for a Grammy in 1969), You Stand Tall, It Is Well with My Soul, What a Friend, and Spirituals for All Seasons