William Burton Walbert

• Name — William Burton Walbert • Born — May 18, 1886 • Birthplace — Barren County, Kentucky, U.S. • Died — December 2, 1959 • Place of death — Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. • Occupation — Hymn writer • Spouse — Mable Grace Vaughan • Children — 1 son • Relatives — James David Vaughan (father-in-law)

Walbert was born in Barren County, Kentucky on May 18, 1886. He attended the Vaughan School of Music in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

Walbert worked for the James D. Vaughan Music Company, where he taught shape note singing schools. After James D. Vaughan's death, Walbert took charge of the school. Walbert was also a music performer. In 1917, he joined the Vaughan Saxophone Quartet with Joe Allen, Ira Foust and Adger M. Pace. 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. 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.

Walbert married Mable Grace Vaughan, James David Vaughan's daughter, in 1915. They had a son, James D. Walbert, who became a pianist. Walbert died of a stroke on December 2, 1959, in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 72. His funeral was held in Lawrenceburg. He was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1959.