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Beloved Band Leader’s Passion for Craft Left Indelible Imprint

RALEIGH-- William E. Woods, Sr.’s philosophy of “perfect practice prevents poor performance” created a legacy of near-perfection for the bands that played under his leadership at Saint Augustine’s College. That philosophy could also be applied to life, said his sons, William, Tyler, and Christian.

His wife, Geraldine, whom Mr. Woods affectionately called “Gi,” said that Woods was a musical purist who put God, family and music on the top of his life’s list.

His passion for music required him to manage his time carefully so that he could also keep his family a priority, and he did so successfully, said his wife. Though his hours weren’t the traditional 8-to-5, Mrs. Woods said her husband balanced work and family well, crediting him for being “a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend. He was definitely a family man,” she said.

Woods is credited with developing the marching band at Saint Augustine’s College, and leading the pep and jazz bands at the College also. When he passed away unexpectedly last week, he left a far-reaching legacy that will never be forgotten and that he worked hard to develop.

His full career began after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a magna cum laude designation from his alma mater N.C. A&T University and a master’s degree in Music from Combs College in Philadelphia, Pa. He had also completed some work on his doctorate.

“He never met a stranger. He was a people person, very social … His handicap was that he thought everybody was his friend. To know Bill Woods was to love Bill Woods,” said his wife of 33 years. Also an educator, Mrs. Woods excelled in her own professional field of English, but was one of her husband’s biggest fans. She shares that admiration with their three sons. “The boys were his pride and joy,” she said. The middle son, Tyler, is his father’s protégé, a “driver of perfection” – like his father – who writes, directs, produces and composes.

That perfectionism is the reason that her husband received recognition for his work with every band he directed. He enjoyed the nicknames his students gave him, like “Dr. Spock” for his ears. And his favorite word was “Bingo!” when his students performed up to his standards. They knew those standards all too well: “no practice, no performance” and “If you’re on time, you’re late,” said his wife of his expectations as a leader of leaders. The students knew it was for their own good: “They bought into whatever he sold,” she said.

While his resume lists 17 bands, he also directed choirs, taught drama, coached tennis, and served on the PTA. He also played for four church choirs and started the instrumental music program at Louisburg College.
“Put simply, he was animated and motivated all of the time,” said Mrs. Woods.
“He always had a project.”

But music always played a major role. “It was his life. The comfort I have is that he died doing what he loved,” said Mrs. Woods.

Saint Augustine’s College plans to host a memorial service for their beloved band leader on March 11 at noon in the Historic Chapel on campus.

A funeral for Mr. Woods will be held on Friday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at Allen Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg. The viewing will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church. Internment will be in the Allen Chapel cemetery following the service. Expressions of sympathy should be sent to Richardson’s Funeral Home, 607 S. Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549.