William (Bill) DAVIES (staff, 1971-80) passed away in mid-April, age 82. After his family moved from Woodstock to London, Bill attended Knollwood and Boyle Memorial Public Schools and then Medway High School, before earning a Bachelor of Music, Honours in Music Education, and diploma of Associate of Music in Trumpet performance at Western.

He taught at Patterson Collegiate in Windsor for 2 years, was Head of Music at South for 9 years, and then at Beal for a further 7 years. He then went into Special Education, working at Thames, Ross, Lucas and W.D. Sutton Schools for the rest of his secondary career, before retiring after 31 years. After retiring, Bill went to teach at Baotou University in China. Upon his return, he was asked to work at Lucan Elementary School, later moving to Cleardale Elementary School as a Learning Resource teacher, teaching students with Learning Disabilities.

From the age of 8, Bill played trumpet, one of his greatest pleasures. He played in the Police Boys Band, in the 4 Column Royal Canadian Army Service Corp band and the London Civic Symphony (later Orchestra London). He also played in many dance bands including Lional Thornton’s Casa Royal Orchestra, Johnny Downs, Ron Shadbolt’s New Modernaires, Len Langley, Gordon Cooper, and became lead trumpet in George Laidlaw’s Prime Time Big Band. He also played in Encore the Concert Band, the London Pops Band, Swingmasters, and conducted the Royal Canadian Regiment band of Fourth Battalion.