Thousands more online viewed the service for the legendary motivational speaker who touched countless lives throughout his four decades on the speaking circuit and through his 30-plus books, including the best-selling "See You at the Top." Ziglar died Nov. 28 of complications from pneumonia. The husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was 86.

"We've gathered not only to mourn," Graham said, "but also to worship and draw our hearts near to the Christ he loved, to the Savior he followed."

More than a decade ago, Ziglar had approached Graham about his own memorial service, specifying songs and Scriptures. Graham read from Ziglar's written directions, quoting, "'I believe the major objective of my funeral should be to serve as an evangelistic occasion for the lost and as an encouragement for other Christians. If based on your experience my choices of songs and procedures are not the most conducive for persuading others to join me in eternity, please make whatever changes you deem advisable.'

"We didn't change a thing," said Graham, Ziglar's longtime pastor and friend, who delivered the message.

The service included worship songs such as "Because He Lives," "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and "Victory in Jesus" and words of remembrance from Ike Reighard, pastor of Piedmont Church in Marietta, Ga., and Ziglar's son Tom.

Reighard spoke about how his own life has been influenced by Ziglar. The two met years ago after Reighard preached a sermon on David and Goliath at First Baptist Church in Dallas. In the middle of the message, Reighard quoted Ziglar: "'You can never consistently perform in a manner that's inconsistent with the way that you see yourself.'"

He finished the sermon then visited with members of the congregation. Ziglar had been in the audience that day and waited in line to meet the young preacher.

"I squealed like a 12-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert," Reighard recalled.

One Saturday morning after their meeting, Ziglar called Reighard and asked if he would be his "on-call preacher."

They started visiting on Saturday mornings, Ziglar asking scriptural questions and Reighard answering. Their friendship grew.

"He had that uncanny ability to inspire better than anyone I've ever known," Reighard said.

"In a lot of ways," he said, "this is my last Saturday morning with Zig.... All of the things that Zig Ziglar accepted by faith, he's now seeing with his sight. No longer does he walk by faith, now he walks by sight."

Tom Ziglar, CEO of Ziglar, Inc., spoke on the four characteristics that gave rise to the impact his father has had: hope, identity, brokenness and love. Tom spoke about an especially poignant moment with his father after a day of golf, something they enjoyed doing together. Continued...