Billy Graham, 99, a famous evangelist that accrued a following for his Southern Baptist style preaching, passed away after what his family described as a long battle with an illness.

“The thing that was so powerful was that he was a guy that was full of fiery passion,” said Rusty George, Lead Pastor at Real Life Church. “But it was never out of condemnation, but it was always out of love. He didn’t attack other churches or pastors, but rather he passionately and powerfully declared the love of God.”

Others shared fond memories of the religious leader.

“My favorite story about Pastor Graham is that after he had gone through the Billy Graham Library, reporters asked him how he felt,” said Pastor Todd Smith, Senior Pastor at Crossroads Community Church here in Santa Clarita. “To which he responded, ‘Too much Billy Graham.’”

Graham began building his ministry by bringing the gospel message of tent-revival preachers into the modern age beginning in 1944. By 1948, Graham had began accumulating a large following for being a tall skinny, pastor that used any media platform to deliver his old message.

Known as “America’s Pastor,” Graham gained the ear of almost presidents through the decades, from President Truman to President Obama.

“Pastor Graham was a man of great faith and a man of great humility, even though he had the ear of presidents and kings,” said Smith.

Additionally, Graham had been able to, for the most part avoid the scandals that befell many prominent preachers in the 20th and 21st centuries, CNN reports.

“He was a man who for 70 years led his ministry, and never had a scandal,” said Smith. “He was just so faithful and it’s rare to find that example.”

In return for his scandal-free life, Americans regularly put Graham at the top of “most-admired” people polls. In 2013, he tied for fourth among most-admired men with former President Bill Clinton. It was his record-setting 57th appearance in the top 10, according to Gallup.

“He was able to reach so many people,” said Smith. “My grandmother got saved under his ministry, so I’m a downstream benefactor of his ministry and legacy.”

Graham passed away at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, spokesman Jeremy Blume said.

Asked what he’d like people to say about him when he died, Graham said, “I want to hear one person say something nice about me and that’s the Lord, when I face him. I want him to say to me, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'”

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