SPOKANE, Wash. — Happy Watkins, a Spokane reverend and pastor at New Hope Baptist Church, has passed away.
Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson said Watkins was "a Spokanite in heart and soul since 1961."
Wilkerson said in a Facebook post that the Brooklyn, New York, native, recited the "I Have a Dream" speech every year, and that he was also part of the founding board of The Fig Tree.
"My heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family and to his church on such a tragic loss for our community," Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson also said Watkins "served our community with a heart of gold."
Former City Council President Ben Stuckart also posted to Facebook, saying "What a meaningful life and such a good man."