March 9, 2005
Passings: Cal Poly Music Professor, Band Leader Graydon Williams
SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Longtime Cal Poly Music Professor Graydon J. Williams, 76, of Mountain Home, Ark., died in Indianapolis Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005. Professor Williams taught in the Music Department 1970-1991.
Williams and student band members, circa 1970s
His family held a celebration of his life March 19 at the Williams Family home in Los Osos, where his ashes will be interred.
Graydon was born Aug. 5, 1928, in Hunlock Creek, Pa., the oldest
child of David and Merle Williams, formerly of Clifton Springs,
N.Y. He graduated Clifton Springs Central School in 1946 and attended
Fredonia State Teachers College for a year before joining the U.S.
Air Force
Jazz Band, travelling across Europe several years playing trumpet
and trombone behind Bob Hope and many other stars, entertaining
our troops in the era of the Berlin Airlift.
Graydon returned to the United States in 1952 and married Joanne Knies of Greeley, Colo. The newlyweds moved to Boston, where he studied six years at the New England Conservatory of Music, earning jazz musical arranging and composing.
Graydon then served several years on the faculty of the College of the Ozarks, Ark., before moving to California as director of bands at Cal Poly in 1970.
His moonlighting jazz combos did hundreds of performances at weddings, state fairs, nightclubs and dances. He also wrote musical arrangements for many Miss America contestants.
He is survived by numerous children, nieces, nephews and family members. He was receded in death by his wife, Joanne, and their infant son, Daniel.
In lieu of flowers, the Williams family asks that contributions be made to a favorite local band or musical organization.
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