Paul Heil Has Passed

HisAir is deeply saddened to report the passing of  long-time Christian broadcaster Paul Heil. Heil passed yesterday (12/27) after suffering a heart attack.

As host & founder of the program “The Gospel Greats” Heil was recognized as the best-known radio voice in Southern Gospel music. Now well into his fifth decade of radio, television and commercial announcing, Paul Heil has been honored with numerous industry accolades and fan awards for his work in the field of Southern Gospel music. in September of 2014 he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the first inductee to have become known primarily for his work in syndicated radio. 

During the 47th Annual Dove Awards ceremonies in Nashville, the Gospel Music Association presented its 2016 “Radio Impact Award — Southern Gospel” to Paul and The Gospel Greats program “for its outstanding contribution to Southern Gospel music.”

In 2004, the Southern Gospel Music Association honored Paul with its highest overall award, the “James D. Vaughan Impact Award,” presented each year to the one individual who has had the greatest lifetime impact on the field of Southern Gospel music.

The Gospel Greats program airs each week on nearly 200 radio stations throughout the United States, Canada and elsewhere.  The Gospel Greats syndicated radio program now in its 5th decade, has been a fixture in Southern Gospel Music since 1980. 

Heil is survived by his wife Sheila. Paul and Shelia met in 1981 at a radio station that was airing The Gospel Greats program. Shelia handles the behind-the-scenes part of The Gospel Greats program including listener correspondence, schedules interviews and manages the office. She writes Singing News magazine’s Northern Notes column, profiling Southern Gospel groups based north of the Mason-Dixon line.