Parkinson, William Bliss 1876-1947

PARKINSON, CLAY

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/4/2011 at 22:38:48

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, January 7, 1947

Well Known Leader In Music Circles Passes Away Here

Funeral Services For W. B. Parkinson Tuesday Afternoon

W. Bliss Parkinson, widely, known among musicians, passed away at his home in Le Mars early Sunday morning after a year and a half illness. He was afflicted by a series of strokes, and was bedfast for a little over a year.

He was born in Stockton, Ill., May 27, 1876, where he grew to young manhood and received his early training. Early in life he showed great possibilities as a musician and a t the age of 7 years was considered an. outstanding player on the cornet. He was united in marriage to Fannie Clay, September 29, 1896, and then spent a number of years as musical instructor in schools. He later graduated from Dana Musical Institute; Warren, Ohio, in 1908. While there he gained the distinction, of being one of the best professional cornetists in the United States.

He spent two years as director of the band department at the University of Michigan. In 1910 he went to Sioux City and organized the Sioux City Symphony, which still, stands as a monument to his great skill and interest in the best in music. He came to Le Mars in 1912 and became director of music at Western Union college, a position, he held for 14 years.

His great interest; especially in later life, was not so much to develop his own skill in playing, but rather to make the playing of music a possibility for all persons. He was a pioneer in the field of class instruction in all kinds of instruments. He has developed a complete set of courses to prepare students for bands and orchestras. He went on a yearly tour of high schools and presented programs that were an education in music. For his talent he chose young people from among winners of the national music contest. Those proved to be of great interest and are being continued by his son, Carol.

Mr. Parkinson was the owner of a fine collection of rare and antique musical instruments which he had gathered in his many years of work in the instrumental field.

Mr. Parkinson is survived by his wife, his aged mother, two daughters, Mrs. R. H. Aurand of Fort Dodge, and Mrs. J. S. Deedrick of Waterloo, and also two sons, Carol and Schubert, of Le Mars.

He leaves two brothers, Fred Parkinson of Redfield, Iowa, and Albert Parkinson of Sterling, Illinois. Two sisters also remain, Mrs. I. W. Machamer of Merrill, Iowa, and Mrs. R. P. Schneider of Le Mars. There are nine grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held in the Evangelical United Brethren church in Le Mars on Tuesday at 1:30 p. m. with Rev. H. O. Thompson, the pastor, in charge. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery in Sioux City.

The family requests that no flowers be sent for the funeral. Anyone who wishes to send gifts may do so and they will be given to a mission in Kentucky in which Mr. Parkinson had a great interest.