Bill Clinton pays tribute to John Lewis at funeral

John Lewis was mourned, revered and celebrated as an American hero on Thursday at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, a sacred place for many of those who helped to shape civil rights history.

Three former presidents joined in eulogies after nearly a week of mourning that took him from his birthplace in Alabama to nation's capital of Washington to his final resting place in his home of Atlanta.

Former President Bill Clinton said Lewis, "developed an absolutely uncanny ability to heal troubled waters."

Lewis died July 17 at of 80.

arc of Lewis' legacy of activism was once again tied to Ebenezer's former pastor Martin Lur King Jr., whose sermons Lewis discovered while scanning rio dial as a 15-year-old boy growing up in n-segregated Alabama.

King continued to inspire Lewis' civil rights work for next 65 years as he fought segregation during sometimes bloody marches, Greyhound bus "Freedom Rides" across South and later during his long tenure in U.S. Congress.

"Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem soul of America," Lewis said of his run-ins with law.

phrase was repeated several times during funeral.

But matter what, John always kept walking to reach beloved community. He got into a lot of good trouble along way, but let's t forget, he developed an absolutely uncanny ability to heal troubled waters," said former president Bill Clinton.

Outside Ebenezer, hundreds gared to watch service on a large screen outside church. Some sang gospel song "We Shall Overcome."

Shortly before he died, Lewis wrote an essay for New York Times and asked that it be published on day of his funeral.

In piece published Thursday, Lewis recalled teachings of King:

"He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice," Lewis wrote.

"He said it is t eugh to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out."

"He fought good fight, he kept faith. But we got our last letter today on ps of New York Times. Keep moving. It is so fitting on day of his service. He leaves us our marching orders, keep moving," Clinton said.