William "Bill" Edgar Woods

William Edgar Woods (Bill) age 91 of Abilene, TX passed away on June 12, 2023, at Hendrick Hospice in Abilene.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 17 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, TX.

Bill was born November 20, 1931, in Denton County, TX and attended school in Plainview, TX, graduating in 1950. Bill was a versatile musician, performing on piano, clarinet, tenor sax, and tuba while serving as drum major and student conductor of both band and choir. He was featured twirler of the Plainview band, and his twirling ability earned him 7^th place in the 1950 VFW national in Chicago. He graduated from Hardin Simmons University, where he was a member and drum major of the World Famous Cowboy Band, and a member of the A Capella Choir. He also played dance jobs with local bands to pay his way through college. Receiving an emergency certificate after two years in college, he accepted a job in Anson, TX. He also served as band director in public schools in Seagraves and in Levelland, where under his leadership, both bands grew in numbers and were awarded multiple Sweepstakes awards in UIL competitions. While in Levelland, Bill also earned his Masters Degree at Texas Tech University. Bill returned to Hardin Simmons in 1981 as director of the Cowboy Band. During his three years as director, the band performed twice in Los Angeles, in the Cotton Bowl Parade, and toured Europe for 18 days. In 1984, Bill accepted a position at Merkel ISD where he taught until he retired in 1989 after 37 years of teaching. He was especially proud of his 20 former students who went on to become band directors. Among his professional memberships, Bill was a member of TMEA (elected president of TMEA from 1983-1984), Phi Beta Mu, NBA, a charter member of TMAA, and a member of Texas Bandmasters Association (inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997).

Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Myrna Hendrix, in 1951. Bill and Myrna had two sons, Bruce and Brad. They and their families were their pride and joy.

Bill was preceded in death by Myrna, his parents, Maxine and Tony Reeves and Maurine Coker, and a half brother, Jack Coker, Jr.

His survivors are his sons, Bruce (Phyllis) of Brownfield, TX, and Brad (Barbara) of Amarillo, TX; grandchildren, Brian Woods of Plano, Brent Woods of Lubbock, Brittany Case (Chris) of Sachse, and Brady Woods of Garland; great-grandson, Jackson Woods of Sachse; half sisters, Delores Robertson, Reata Pruitt, and Alice Cuthers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity.