William Houston McMath

Male 1942 - 2014  (72 years)


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  • Name William Houston McMath 
    Nickname Bill 
    Born 19 Apr 1942  Strong, Union County, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 23 Apr 2014  Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried 28 Apr 2014  Memorial Park Cemetery - Memphis, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2229  Cody LeBlanc's Family Tree
    Last Modified 18 Feb 2021 

    Father Henry Grady McMath, Sr.,   b. 5 Jun 1899, Hillsboro, Union County, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Apr 1978, Strong, Union County, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Mother Fannie Lou Houston,   b. 27 Jul 1907, Griffin, Union County, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jul 1972, Strong, Union County, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years) 
    Married 25 Jun 1935  El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F857  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 M.A. Mitchell 
    Children 
     1. W.M. Redd
    Last Modified 18 Feb 2021 
    Family ID F4557  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 K.M. Wilkins 
    Children 
     1. R.L. McMath
     2. C.M. McMath
    Last Modified 13 Apr 2015 
    Family ID F860  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 19 Apr 1942 - Strong, Union County, Arkansas, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 23 Apr 2014 - Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 28 Apr 2014 - Memorial Park Cemetery - Memphis, Tennessee, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    William 'Bill' Houston McMath
    William "Bill" Houston McMath
    Obituary picture
    William 'Bill' Houston McMath
    William "Bill" Houston McMath
    1955 Strong High School Yearbook Photo
    Strong, Arkansas, USA

    Headstones
    Crypt of William Houston McMath
    Crypt of William Houston McMath
    Memorial Park Cemetery - Memphis, Tennessee, USA

  • Notes 
    • Obituary:

      WILLIAM "Bill" HOUSTON McMATH, passed away April 23, 2014.

      He was predeceased by his parents, Fannie Lou McMath and Henry Grady McMath, Sr. of Strong, AR, and his brother, Henry Grady "Sonny" McMath, Jr. of Bryan, TX.

      Bill's music career spanned several decades beginning at an early age in Strong, AR, learning to play piano and guitar. He earned Bachelor and Master degrees in music from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Bill moved to Memphis in 1969, where he worked at William B. Tanner Company as a staff music writer, arranger, singer and recording session guitarist. Bill worked with several country music recording artists while living in Nashville in the mid 70's. Beginning in the early 80's, he worked as a freelance music writer and arranger, as well as teaching private music lessons and teaching Music Appreciation at Shelby State Community College in Memphis, TN. As head of the Instrumental Music Department at Presbyterian Day School since 2001, Bill was known as "Mr. Mac" to all his students and colleagues. These years at PDS were the highlight of his career. Outside of music, Bill loved to follow the St. Louis Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds baseball. Family vacation trips to Destin, FL over the past 30 years were always memorable. Bill died from complications of pneumonia in the ICU at Baptist Memorial Hospital, where he was in the care of wonderful, compassionate groups of nurses and doctors.

      He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy Wilkins McMath; daughters, Rachel Easley and Cecily McMath; son, Mitchell Redd; granddaughter, Emily; grandsons, Will and Drew.

      There will be a visitation from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday April 27 in the Sanctuary of Christ United Methodist Church followed by the service from 3:30-4:30 p.m. A graveside service will follow on Monday, April 28 in Memorial Park Cemetery.

      In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Day School Music Department, The Memphis Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians or the donor's choice.

      (Published in The Commercial Appeal on April 26, 2014)