LeRoy "Bill" Williams Larson

January 6, 1937 - August 29, 2022


     LeRoy “Bill” Williams Larson was born January 6, 1937, to LeRoy Williams and Marie Sorensen Larson in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was their second child, born three years after his sister, Barbara Lee.

     His early years were spent on dairy farms near Olathe, Kansas and Elburn, Illinois. The family settled in Holdrege, Nebraska where he spent his junior and senior high school years. He graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney in 1958 with degrees in Music and Industrial Arts. The following three summers were spent earning a master’s degree in music from Colorado State Greeley. His first teaching job was in Minden, Nebraska from 1958 to 1967, after which he moved to Great Falls, Montana with his wife Jane, who taught English; son Mike and daughters Laurell and Sarah. Bill taught band at Great Falls High until 1984 when he became Music Supervisor for Great Falls Public Schools. During that time, he also served as President of Montana Band Masters, Northwest Music Educators and Montana Music Educators.  Bill was a driving force in the Great Falls Symphony Association. He was designated as a lifetime member, having served on the board for over 50 years.  He was Choir Director at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for 20 years.

   Following Bill’s retirement from the School District in 1994, he went to work for Eckroth Music Company as a school rep in the Golden Triangle area. 

    Bill was a dedicated husband and father.  He and Jane had a generous spirit, and their home was always open to friends in need.  He and the family filled their lives with music and trips to the Montana mountains.    During retirement, Bill and his wife Jane traveled extensively, even spending time teaching at the International School in Bangkok, Thailand. Jane passed away from cancer in 2007.

   In 2011, Bill married Judy Ericksen. Sharing her pottery studio, he returned to his love of woodworking creating fine lamps, bowls, rolling pins and lidded pots. 

   Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara and first wife Jane.  He is survived by son Michael and his wife Leslie; daughter, Laurell and her husband, Scott Mauro; granddaughters, Kyla, Samantha and Kenna; and daughter Sarah and husband Andrew Martin. He is also survived by his wife, Judy; two stepsons, Jeff and Greg; Greg’s wife Nichole; and their sons, Jay and Isaac.

   A private family service will be held.  No public service is planned. Donations may be made to the Great Falls Symphony or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.  Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.

LeRoy "Bill"'s Guestbook


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