Indeed he was brilliant but I have never liked how people treats him. He have great theories but last years, even last 30 years - only used his fame to make interviews, publications (some were nonsense) and university lessons. Look at student faces on most of videos - pity and admiration to his disability + genious.
I think we have even now great scientists, even greater than Hawking but in shadow because they haven't chair.
Don't get me wrong, we shouldn't say anything wrong about dead people but don't treat him like god, alfa&omega of science or second Einstein or Newton.
However,
RIP - Great Scientist, Steven Hawking, respect