William Burton Walbert (May 18, 1886 – December 2, 1959) was an American Southern gospel songwriter, singer, composer, and editor. He (co-)wrote many songs, and he was the director of the Vaughan School of Music in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

Early life

Walbert was born in Barren County, Kentucky on May 18, 1886.^{[citation needed]} He attended the Vaughan School of Music in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.^[1]

Career

Walbert worked for the James D. Vaughan Music Company, where he taught shape note singing schools.^{[citation needed]} After James D. Vaughan's death, Walbert took charge of the school.^[1]

Walbert was also a music performer. In 1917, he joined the Vaughan Saxophone Quartet with Joe Allen, Ira Foust and Adger M. Pace.^[2] From 1923 to the 1930s, Walbert was a member of the Vaughan Radio Quartet, a band whose members included Pace, Hilman Barnard, and Otis Leon McCoy.^[2]

Walbert (co-)wrote many Southern gospel songs, including Peace Like a River, Oh, What a Blessing, Tell It Everywhere You Go, and I've Never Loved Him Better.^[1][3]

Personal life and death

Walbert married Mable Grace Vaughan, James David Vaughan's daughter, in 1915. They had a son, James D. Walbert,^[1][3] who became a pianist.^[4]

Walbert died of a stroke on December 2, 1959, in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 72.^[1][3] His funeral was held in Lawrenceburg.^[1][3] He was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1959.^{[citation needed]}